Dipeptide nitriles

ABSTRACT

N-terminal substituted dipeptide nitrites as defined are useful as inhibitors of cysteine cathepsins, e.g. cathepsins B, K, L and S, and can be used for the treatment of cysteine cathepsin dependent diseases and conditions, including inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, tumors (especially tumor invasion and tumor metastasis), coronary disease, atherosclerosis (including atherosclerotic plaque rupture and destabilization). Particular dipeptide nitrites are compounds of formula I, or physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable esters or a salts thereof  
                 
 
     wherein: the symbols are as defined.  
     In particular it has been found that by appropriate choice of groups R, R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , X 1 , Y and L, the relative selectivity of the compounds as inhibitors of the various cysteine cathepsin types, e.g. cathepsins B, K, L and S may be altered, e.g. to obtain inhibitors which selectively inhibit a particular cathepsin type or combination of cathepsin types.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/______ filed Dec. 5, 1997 which was converted from application Ser. No. 08/985,973, and which is herewith incorporated by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to inhibitors of cysteine proteases, in particular to dipeptide nitrile cathepsin inhibitors and to their pharmaceutical use for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases or medical conditions in which cathepsins are implicated.

[0003] The cysteine cathepsins, e.g. cathepsins B, K, L and S, are a class of lysosomal enzymes which are implicated in various disorders including inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, tumors (especially tumor invasion and tumor metastasis), coronary disease, atherosclerosis (including atherosclerotic plaque rupture and destabilization), autoimmune diseases, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases and immunologically mediated diseases (including transplant rejection).

[0004] In accordance with the invention it has been found that dipeptide nitrites are particularly useful as cysteine cathepsin inhibitors and can be used for the treatment of the above-cited cysteine cathepsin dependent conditions.

[0005] Accordingly the present invention provides an N-terminal-substituted dipeptide nitrile, i.e. a dipeptide in which the C-terminal carboxy group of the dipeptide is replaced by a nitrile group (—C≡N) and in which the N-terminal nitrogen atom is substituted via a peptide or pseudopeptide linkage which optionally additionally comprises a -methylene-hetero atom-linker or an additional hetero atom, directly by aryl, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl or heterocyclyl, or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or a salt thereof, for use as a pharmaceutical.

[0006] The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an N-terminal-substituted dipeptide nitrile as defined above as an active ingredient.

[0007] The invention also provides a method of treating a patient suffering from or susceptible to a disease or medical condition in which a cathepsin is implicated, comprising administering an effective amount of an N-terminal-substituted dipeptide nitrile as defined above to the patient.

[0008] The invention further includes the use of an N-terminal-substituted dipeptide nitrile as defined above for the preparation of a medicament for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a disease or medical condition in which a cathepsin is implicated.

[0009] The dipeptide nitrile of the invention conveniently comprises α-amino acid residues, including both natural and unnatural α-amino acid residues. Herein the “natural α-amino acid residues” denote the 20 amino acids obtainable by translation of RNA according to the genetic code or the corresponding nitrites thereof, as appropriate. “Unnatural α-amino acid residues” are α-amino acids which have α-substituents other than those found in “natural α-amino acid residues”. Preferred α-amino acid residues, as the C-terminal amino acid residue of the dipeptide nitrile, are the nitriles of tryptophan, 2-benzyloxymethyl-2-amino-acetic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-2-amino-acetic acid, 2-butyl-2-amino-acetic acid, methionine, leucine, lysine, alanine, phenylalanine, and glycine and derivatives thereof, e.g. as hereinafter described. Preferred amino acid residues as the N-terminal amino acid residue of the dipeptide nitrile are 1-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, 1-amino-cycloheptanecarboxylic acid, phenylalanine, histidine, tryptophan and leucine and derivatives thereof, e.g. as hereinafter described.

[0010] The aryl, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl or heterocyclyl substituent (hereinafter referred to as R) is attached to the the N-terminal nitrogen atom of the dipeptide via a peptide linkage, i.e. as R—C(O)—NH—, or via a pseudopeptide linkage. Suitable pseudopeptide linkages include sulphur in place of oxygen and sulphur and phosporous in place of carbon, e.g. as R—C(S)—NH—, R—S(O)—NH—, R—S(O)₂—NH— or R—P(O)₂—NH and analogues thereof. Additionally the peptide or pseudopeptide linkage between the R substituent and the N-terminal nitrogen atom may comprise an additional hetero atom, e.g. as R-Het-C(O)—NH—, or a -methylene-hetero atom-linker, e.g. as R-Het-CH₂—C(O)—NH— or R—CH₂-Het-C(O)—NH—, wherein Het is a hetero atom selected from O, N or S, and pseudopeptide containing alternatives thereof, e.g. as defined above. When the linkage between the aryl substituent and the N-terminal nitrogen atom comprises a -methylene-hetero atom-linker, the methylene group and the hetero atom may be optionally further substituted, e.g. as hereinafter described.

[0011] The R substituent may be further substituted, e.g. by up to 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, optionally substituted C₁₋₄alkyl (e.g. alkyl substituted by hydroxy, alkyloxy, amino, optionally substituted alkylamino, optionally substituted dialkylamino, aryl or heterocyclyl), C₁₋₄alkoxy, C₂₋₆alkenyl, CN, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, aryl, (e.g.phenyl or phenyl substituted by CN, CF₃, halogen, OCH₃), aryloxy, (e.g. phenoxy or phenoxy substituted by CN, CF₃, halogen, OCH₃), benzyloxy or a heterocyclic residue.

[0012] Accordingly in preferred embodiments the invention provides a compound of formula I, or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or a salt thereof

[0013] wherein:

[0014] R is optionally substituted (aryl, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or heterocyclyl);

[0015] R₂ and R₃ are independently hydrogen, or optionally substitued [lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, or (aryl, biaryl, cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl)-lower alkyl]; or

[0016] R₂ and R₃ together represent lower alkylene, optionally interrupted by O, S or NR₆ so as to form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are attached

[0017] wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl; or

[0018] either R₂ or R₃ are linked by lower alkylene to the adjacent nitrogen to form a ring;

[0019] R₄ and R₅ are independently H, or optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkyl), —C(O)OR₇, or —C(O)NR₇R₈,

[0020] wherein

[0021] R₇ is optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl or heterocyclyl), and

[0022] R₈ is H, or optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl or heterocyclyl), or

[0023] R₄ and R₅ together represent lower alkylene, optionally interrupted by O, S or NR₆, so as to form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are attached

[0024] wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl, or

[0025] R₄ is H or optionally substituted lower alkyl and R₅ is a substituent of formula —X₂—(Y₁)_(n)—(Ar)_(p)—Q—Z

[0026] wherein

[0027] Y₁ is O, S, SO, SO₂, N(R₆)SO₂, N—R₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO;

[0028] n is zero or one;

[0029] p is zero or one;

[0030] X₂ is lower alkylene; or when n is zero, X₂ is also C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂, NR₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO;

[0031] wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl;

[0032] Ar is arylene;

[0033] Z is hydroxy, acyloxy, carboxyl, esterified carboxyl, amidated carboxyl, aminosulfonyl, (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)aminosulfonyl, or (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)sulfonylaminocarbonyl; or Z is tetrazolyl, triazolyl or imidazolyl;

[0034] Q is a direct bond, lower alkylene, Y₁-lower alkylene or C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by Y₁;

[0035] X₁ is —C(O)—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —P(O)(OR₆)—

[0036] wherein R₆ is as defined above;

[0037] Y is oxygen or sulphur;

[0038] L is optionally substituted -Het-, -Het-CH₂— or —CH₂-Het-,

[0039] wherein Het is a hetero atom selected from O, N or S, and

[0040] x is zero or one;

[0041] and aryl in the above definitions represents carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl, for use as a pharmaceutical;

[0042] a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I as defined above as an active ingredient;

[0043] a method of treating a patient suffering from or susceptible to a disease or medical condition in which a cathepsin is implicated, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of formula I as defined above to the patient; and

[0044] use of a compound of formula I as defined above for the preparation of a medicament for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a disease or medical condition in which a cathepsin is implicated.

[0045] The invention also provides novel dipeptide nitriles.

[0046] Accordingly the invention further provides a compound of formula I as defined above

[0047] provided that when R is lower alkyl not substituted by aryl,

[0048] one of R₄ or R₅ is a substituent of formula —X₂—(Y₁)_(n)-(Ar)_(p)-Q-Z,

[0049] provided that when x is one, L is —O—, or —CH₂—O— and X₁ is —C(O)—,

[0050] either one of R₄ or R₅ is a substituent of formula —X₂—(Y₁)_(n)-(Ar)_(p)-Q-Z, or R is not unsubstituted phenyl,

[0051] provided that when R₂=R₄=R₅=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—,

[0052] R₃ is not H, —CH₃, —CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—COOH, or —CH₂—COO—CH₂—CH₃, when R is unsubstituted phenyl,

[0053] R₃ is not H, —CH(CH₃)₂, or —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, when R is 4-aminophenyl or 4-nitrophenyl,

[0054] R₃ is not H when R is 3-aminophenyl, 3-nitrophenyl 2-chloropyridin-4-yl, or vinyl or

[0055] R₃ is not —CH₂—CH₂—S—CH₃ when R is pyridin-3-yl or 2-chloropyridin-4-yl,

[0056] provided that when R₂=R₃=R₄=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)— and R is phenyl,

[0057] R₅ is not —CH(CH₃)₂,

[0058] provided that when R₃=R₄=H, R₅ is —CH₂—CH₂—COOH, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—,

[0059] R₂ does not form a heterocyclic ring with the adjacent nitrogen atom, and

[0060] provided that when R₂=R₃=R₄=R₅=H, x is zero and X₁ is —SO₂—,

[0061] R is not 4-methylphenyl.

[0062] In formula I R, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and L may be further substituted by one or more, e.g. up to 3, substituents independently selected from lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, —CN, -halogen, —OH, —NO₂, —NR₉R₁₀, —X₃—R₇, lower alkyl-X₃—R₈, halo-substituted lower alkyl,

[0063] wherein R₇ and R₈ are as defined above,

[0064] X₃ is —O—, —S—, —NR₈—, —C(O)—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —C(O)O—, —C(S)O—, —C(O)NR₈—,

[0065] wherein R₈ is as defined above,

[0066] R₉ and R₁₀ are independently as defined above for R₈, or —X₄—R₈,

[0067] wherein X₄ is —C(O)—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —C(O)O—, —C(S)O—, —C(O)NR₆—

[0068] wherein R₆ and R₇ are as defined above, or

[0069] R₉ and R₁₀ together with N form a heteroaryl group or a saturated or unsaturated heterocycloalkyl group, optionally containing one or more additional heteroatoms selected from O, N or S.

[0070] Compounds of formula I exhibit valuable pharmacological properties in mammals, in particular as cysteine cathepsin inhibitors. In accordance with the present invention it has been found that by appropriate choice of groups R, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, X₁, Y and L, the relative selectivity of the compounds as inhibitors of the various cysteine cathepsin types, e.g. cathepsins B, K, L and S may be altered, e.g. to obtain inhibitors which selectively inhibit a particular cathepsin type or combination of cathepsin types.

[0071] In a first aspect the invention provides a compound of formula II, or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or a salt thereof

[0072] wherein:

[0073] R₂₀ is optionally substituted (aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclyl-lower alkyl);

[0074] R₂₂ is H, or optionally substitued lower alkyl, and

[0075] R₂₃ is optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkyl, or cyloalkyl-lower alkyl) or

[0076] R₂₂ and R₂₃ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted (cycloalkyl group or heterocycloalkyl group);

[0077] R₂₄ and R₂₅ are independently H, or optionally substituted (lower alkyl, or aryl-lower alkyl), —C(O)OR₇, or —C(O)NR₇R₈

[0078] wherein R₇ and R₈ are as defined above, or

[0079] R₂₄ and R₂₅ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted (cycloalkyl group or heterocycloalkyl group);

[0080] X₁ is as defined above;

[0081] Y is oxygen or sulphur;

[0082] L′ is optionally substituted (-Het-CH₂— or —CH₂-Het-),

[0083] wherein Het is a a hetero atom selected from O, N or S, and

[0084] x is 1 or 0,

[0085] provided that when x is one, L is —CH₂—O— and X₁ is —C(O)—,

[0086] R₂₀ is not unsubstituted phenyl,

[0087] provided that when R₂₂=R₂₄=R₂₅=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—,

[0088] R₂₃ is not H, —CH₃, —CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—COOH, or —CH₂—COO—CH₂—CH₃, when R₂₀ is unsubstituted phenyl,

[0089] R₂₃ is not H, —CH(CH₃)₂, or —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, when R₂₀ is 4-aminophenyl or 4-nitrophenyl,

[0090] R₂₃ is not H when R₂₀ is 3-aminophenyl, 3-nitrophenyl 2-chloropyridin-4-yl, or vinyl, or

[0091] R₂₃ is not —CH₂—CH₂—S—CH₃ when R₂₀ is pyridin-3-yl or 2-chloropyridin-4-yl,

[0092] provided that when R₂₂=R₂₃=R₂₄=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)— and R₂₀ is phenyl,

[0093] R₂₅ is not —CH(CH₃)₂,

[0094] provided that when R₂₃=R₂₄=H, R₂₅ is —CH₂—CH₂—COOH, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—,

[0095] R₂₂ does not form a heterocyclic ring with the adjacent nitrogen atom, and

[0096] provided that when R₂₂=R₂₃=R₂₄=R₂₅=H, x is zero and X₁ is —SO₂—,

[0097] R₂₀ is not 4-methylphenyl.

[0098] Compounds of formula II are typically inhibitors of cathepsins K, L or S, especially selective inhibitors of catepsin K or cathepsin L or cathepsin S, or in some case inhibitors of, e.g. cathepsins L and S.

[0099] The substituents of the compounds of formula II have the following preferred significances. Preferred compounds of formula II comprise compounds having preferred substituents, singly or in any combination.

[0100] Preferably when R₂₀ comprises aryl, the aryl is optionally substituted (phenyl, naphthylenyl, phenanthrenyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzothienyl and benzofuranyl).

[0101] Preferably R₂₂ is hydrogen.

[0102] Preferably R₂₃ is optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkyl or cycloalkyl-lower alkyl), or R₂₃ and R₂₂ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C₅-C₈, especially a C₆ or C₇, cycloalkylgroup. More preferably R₂₃ is —CH₂—CH(CH₃)₂, or optionally substituted benzyl, cyclohexylmethyl, naphthalenylmethyl, indolylmethyl, benzothienylmethyl or benzofuranylmethyl, or R₂₃ and R₂₂ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cyclohexane ring.

[0103] Preferred significances for R₂₄ and R₂₅ are:

[0104] R₂₄ and R₂₅ are both H or —CH₃, or

[0105] R₂₄ is H and R₂₅ is aryl-lower alkyl, lower alkyl, both optionally substitued by up to 3 substituents selected from amino, halogen (e.g. fluorine or preferably chlorine) or S—CH₃, or

[0106] R₂₄ and R₂₅ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl ring.

[0107] More preferably R₂₄ is H and R₂, is optionally substituted (—CH₂-phenyl, —CH₂-indolyl, —(CH₂)₂—S—CH₃, —CH₂—CH(CH₃)₂, —(CH₂)₄—NH₂ or —(CH₂)₃—CH₃), or yet more preferably R₄ and R₅ are both —CH₃, or especially R₄ and R₅ are both H.

[0108] Preferably —X₁— is —C(O)—.

[0109] Preferably Y is ═O.

[0110] Preferably either x is 0, or when x is 1 L′ is —CH₂—O—, —NH—CH₂—, —O—CH₂— or —S—CH₂.

[0111] In particular embodiments the invention provides a compound of formula II′ or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or a salt thereof

[0112] wherein:

[0113] R₂₀′ is optionally substituted (C₆-C₁₈ aryl or C₄-C₁₈ heteroaryl);

[0114] R₂₂′ is H, or optionally substitued C₁-C₈ alkyl, and

[0115] R₂₃′ is optionally substituted (C₂-C₈ alkyl, or C₇-C₁₄ aralkyl), or

[0116] R₂₂′ and R₂₃′ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted (C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group or C₄-C₇ heterocycloalkyl group);

[0117] R₂₄′ and R₂ ′ are independently H, or optionally substituted (C₁-C₈ alkyl C₇-C₁₄ aralkyl, or C₅-C₁₄ heteroaralkyl), —C(O)OR₆′, or —C(O)NR₆′R₇′

[0118] wherein

[0119] R₆′ is optionally substituted (C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₇-C₁₄ aralkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₄-C₇ heterocycloalkyl, C₅-C₁₄ heteroaralkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, or C₄-C₁₄ heteroaryl), and

[0120] R₇′ is H, or optionally substituted (C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₇-C₁₄ aralkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₄-C₇ heterocycloalkyl, C₅-C₁₄ heteroaralkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, or C₄-C₁₄ heteroaryl), or

[0121] R₂₄′ and R₂₅′ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted (C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group or C₄-C₇ heterocycloalkyl group);

[0122] X₁ is —C(O)—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —P(O)(OR₆′)—

[0123] wherein R₆′ is as defined above;

[0124] Y is oxygen or sulphur;

[0125] L′ is optionally substituted (-Het-CH₂— or —CH₂-Het-),

[0126] wherein Het is a a hetero atom selected from O, N or S, and

[0127] x is 1 or 0,

[0128] provided that when x is one, L′ is —CH₂—O— and X₁ is —C(O)—

[0129] R₂₀′ is not unsubstituted phenyl,

[0130] provided that when R₂₂′=R₂₄′=R₂₅′=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—,

[0131] R₂₃′ is not H, —CH₃, —CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—COOH, or —CH₂—COO—CH₂—CH₃, when R₂₀′ is unsubstituted phenyl,

[0132] R₂₃′ is not H, —CH(CH₃)₂, or —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, when R₂₀′ is 4-aminophenyl or 4-nitrophenyl,

[0133] R₂₃′ is not H when R₂₀′ is 3-aminophenyl, 3-nitrophenyl, 2-chloropyridin-4-yl, or vinyl, or

[0134] R₂₃′ is not —CH₂—CH₂—S—CH₃ when R₂₀′ is pyridin-3-yl or 2-chloropyridin-4-yl,

[0135] provided that when R₂₂′=R₂₃′=R₂₄′=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)— and R₂₀′ is phenyl,

[0136] R₂₅′ is not —CH(CH₃)₂,

[0137] provided that when R₂₃′=R₂₄′=H, R₂₅′ is —CH₂—CH₂—COOH, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—,

[0138] R₂₀′ does not form a heterocyclic ring with the adjacent nitrogen atom, and

[0139] provided that when R₂₂′=R₂₃′=R₂₄′=R₂₅′ H, x is zero and X₁ is —SO₂—,

[0140] R₂₀′ is not 4-methylphenyl.

[0141] Compounds of formula II′ are typically selective inhibitors of cathepsin K.

[0142] In a further aspect the invention provides a compound of formula III

[0143] wherein

[0144] R₃₀ is an acyl group derived from an organic carboxylic, carbonic, carbamic or sulfonic acid;

[0145] R₃₂ and R₃₃ are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, or (aryl, biaryl, cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl)-lower alkyl; or R₃₂ and R₃₃ together represent lower alkylene so as to form a ring together with the carbon to which they are attached;

[0146] R₃₄ is hydrogen or lower alkyl;

[0147] X₂, Y₁, Ar, Q, Z, n and p are as previously defined;

[0148] and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof

[0149] for use as a pharmaceutical.

[0150] In preferred embodiments the invention further provides a compound of formula III as defined above, wherein R₃₀ is an acyl group derived from an organic carboxylic, carbamic or sulfonic acid

[0151] Compounds of formula III are typically selective inhibitors of cathepsin B and/or L.

[0152] Particular embodiments relate to the compounds of formula III wherein R₃₀, R₃₂, R₃₃, R₃₄, Q, Z and n are as defined above; and wherein

[0153] (a) p is one;

[0154] (b) Y₁ is O, S, SO, SO₂, N(R₆)SO₂ or N—R₆; and

[0155] (c) X₂ is lower alkylene; or when n is zero, X₂ is also C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂ or NR₆;

[0156] wherein N₆ is as defined above and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0157] Further particular embodiments relate to the compounds of formula III wherein R₃₀, R₃₂, R₃₃, R₃₄, R₃₅, Ar, Z and Q have meaning as defined above; and wherein

[0158] (a) p is one, n is zero, and X₂ is lower alkylene or C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂ NR₆, NR₆SO₂, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; or

[0159] (b) p is one, n is one, X₂ is lower alkylene and Y₁ is O, S, SO, SO₂, N(R₆)SO₂ or NR₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆, NR₆CO; or

[0160] (c) p is one, n is zero and X₂ is lower alkylene; or

[0161] (d) p is one, n is zero and X₂ is C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂ or NR₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; or

[0162] (e) p is zero, n is one, X₂ is lower alkylene and Y₁ is O, S, SO, SO₂, N(R₆)SO₂ or NR₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; or

[0163] (f) p is zero, n is zero and X₂ is C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂ or NR₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO;

[0164] and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: or

[0165] Preferred compounds of formula III are those in which Z is carboxyl or carboxyl derivatized as a pharmaceutically acceptable ester.

[0166] A particular embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formula III wherein n is zero, in particular those of formula III′

[0167] wherein

[0168] R₃₀, X₂, Ar, Q, and p are as defined above; and wherein

[0169] R₃₃′ is carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl-lower alkyl;

[0170] Z′ is hydroxy, acyloxy, carboxyl, carboxyl derivatized as a pharmaceutically acceptable ester or amide, or 5-tetrazolyl;

[0171] and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0172] In a specific embodiment of the compounds of formula III′, R₃₀ is carboxylic acid derived acyl; R₃₃′ is carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl-lower alkyl; X₂ is C₁-C₅-alkylene, or X₂ is C₂-C₄-alkylene interrupted by O or S; p is one; Ar is carbocyclic arylene; Q is a direct bond or C₁-C₄-alkylene; and Z is carboxyl or carboxyl derivatized as a pharmaceutically acceptable ester; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0173] In a more specific embodiment of the compounds of formula III′, R₃₀ is aroyl, R₃₃′ is carbocyclic aryl-methyl; X₂ is C₃-alkylene; or X₂ is C₂-alkylene interrupted by O; p is one; Ar is phenylene; Q is a direct bond; and Z is carboxyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0174] A further particular embodiment of the invention relates to the compounds of formula III wherein n is one, in particular those of formula III″

[0175] wherein

[0176] R₃₀, R₃₃′, Y₁, Ar, and Z′ are as defined above;

[0177] X₂′ is lower alkylene;

[0178] Q′ is a direct bond or lower alkylene;

[0179] and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof

[0180] A specific embodiment of the invention is directed to the compounds of formula III″ wherein R₃₀ is carboxylic acid derived acyl; R₃₃′ is carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl-lower alkyl; X₂′ is C₁-C₄-alkylene; Y₁ is O or S; Ar is carbocyclic arylene; Q′ is a direct bond or C₁-C₄-alkylene; and Z′ is carboxyl or carboxyl derivatized as a pharmaceutically acceptable ester; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0181] A more specific embodiment of the invention is directed to said compounds of formula III″ wherein R₃₀ is aroyl, R₃₃′ is carbocyclic aryl-methyl; X₂′ is C₂-alkylene; Y₁ is O; Ar is phenylene; Q′ is a direct bond; and Z′ is carboxyl, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

[0182] A yet further aspect of the invention is directed to a compound of formula IV

[0183] wherein

[0184] R₄₀ is substituted phenyl or heterocyclic aryl, (mono- or di-carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl)-lower alkyl or lower alkenyl, or heterocyclyl;

[0185] R₄₂ is hydrogen or lower alkyl;

[0186] R₄₃ is carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl-lower alkyl;

[0187] R₄₄ and R₄₅ are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl; or

[0188] R₄₄ and R₄₅ combined represent lower alkylene;

[0189] and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.

[0190] Preferred are compounds of formula IV wherein R₄₀ is morpholino, substituted phenyl or heterocyclic aryl; R₄₂ is hydrogen; R₄₃ is carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl-lower alkyl; R₄₄ and R₄₅ are hydrogen or lower alkyl; or R₄₄ and R₄₅ combined represent ethylene to form a cyclopropyl ring.

[0191] Particularly preferred are compounds of formula IV wherein R₄₀ is pyrazolyl or pyrazolyl substituted by 1-3 lower alkyl; R₄₂ is hydrogen; R₄₃ is carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl-C₁-C₄-alkyl; and R₄₄ and R₄₅ are hydrogen; or R₄₄ and R₄₅ combined are ethylene.

[0192] Compounds of formula IV are typically selective inhibitors of cathepsin L and/or S. P The compounds of formulae I, II, III and IV, depending on the nature of substituents, possess one or more asymmetric carbon atoms. The resulting diastereomers and enantiomers are encompassed by the instant invention. Preferably, however, e.g. for pharmaceutical use in accordance with the invention, the compounds of formulae I, II, III and IV are provided in pure or substantially pure epimeric form, e.g. as compositions in which the compounds are present in a form comprising at least 90%, e.g. preferably at least 95% of a single epimer (i.e. comprising less than 10%, e.g. preferably less than 5% of other epimeric forms).

[0193] Preferred compounds of formula I are those wherein the asymmetric carbon to which are attached R₂ and/or R₃ corresponds to that of an L-amino acid precursor and the asymmetric carbon to which is attached the cyano group also corresponds to that of an L-amino acid and is generally assigned the (S)-configuration. Preferred compounds of formula I wherein R₃ and R₄ represent hydrogen can be represented by formulae V, V′ and V″, corresponding to preferred compounds of formulae II, III and IV respectively

[0194] Thus in particularly preferred embodiments the invention provides a compound of formula V, V′ or V″

[0195] wherein the symbols are as defined above, and

[0196] physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable esters or salts thereof

[0197] The compounds of formula I, II, II′, III, III′, III″, IV, V, V′ and V″ as defined above are hereinafter referred to as Compounds of the Invention.

[0198] The general definitions used herein have the following meaning within the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specified.

[0199] The term “lower” referred to above and hereinafter in connection with organic radicals or compounds respectively defines such as branched or unbranched with up to and including 7, preferably up to and including 4 and advantageously one or two carbon atoms.

[0200] A lower alkyl group is branched or unbranched and contains 1 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably 1-4 carbon atoms. Lower alkyl represents for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl or isobutyl.

[0201] Lower alkenyl represents either straight chain or branched alkenyl of 2 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms, e.g. as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, butenyl, isobutenyl or butadienyl.

[0202] Lower alkynyl represents either straight chain or branched alkynyl of 2 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably 2-4 carbon atoms, e.g. as acetylenyl, propynyl, isopropynyl, butynyl or isobutynyl.

[0203] Lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkynyl may be substituted by up to 3 substituents selected from lower alkoxy, aryl, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, or trifluoromethyl.

[0204] Lower alkylene represents either straight chain or branched alkylene of 1 to 7 carbon atoms and represents preferably straight chain alkylene of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g. a methylene, ethylene, propylene or butylene chain, or said methylene, ethylene, propylene or butylene chain monosubstituted by C₁-C₃-alkyl (advantageously methyl) or disubstituted on the same or different carbon atoms by C₁-C₃-alkyl (advantageously methyl), the total number of carbon atoms being up to and including 7.

[0205] A lower alkoxy (or alkyloxy) group preferably contains 1-4 carbon atoms, advantageously 1-3 carbon atoms, and represents for example ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, or most advantageously methoxy.

[0206] Halogen (halo) preferably represents chloro or fluoro but may also be bromo or iodo.

[0207] An acyl group as represented by R₃₀ is preferably derived from an organic carbonic acid, an organic carboxylic acid, a carbamic acid or an organic sulfonic acid.

[0208] Acyl which is derived from a carboxylic acid represents, for example, carbocyclic or heterocyclic aroyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, (oxa or thia)-cycloalkylcarbonyl, lower alkanoyl, (lower alkoxy, hydroxy or acyloxy)-lower alkanoyl, (mono- or di-carbocyclic or heterocyclic)-(lower alkanoyl or lower alkoxy-, hydroxy- or acyloxy-substituted lower alkanoyl), or biaroyl.

[0209] Carbocyclic aroyl represents, for instance, benzoyl, benzoyl substituted, by one to three substituents selected independently from e.g. halo, trifluoromethyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxy, methylenedioxy, nitro, di-lower alkylamino, cyano, or carbocyclic aroyl represents e.g. 1- or 2-naphthoyl.

[0210] Heterocyclic aroyl represents, for instance, 2-, 3- or 4-pyridylcarbonyl (such as nicotinoyl), furoyl, thienoyl, oxazoloyl, isoxazoloyl, quinoxaloyl, each optionally substituted by e.g. halo, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or nitro.

[0211] (Oxa- or thia)-cyclolalkylcarbonyl is, for example, tetrahydrofuranoyl or tetrahydrothienoyl. Di-(carbocyclic or heterocyclic)aryl-lower alkanoyl is, for example, diphenylacetyl or dipyridylacetyl.

[0212] Aryl-(lower alkoxy, hydroxy or acyloxy substituted) lower alkanoyl is, for example, phenyl-(2-alkoxy, hydroxy or acyloxy)-acetyl.

[0213] Biaroyl is, for example, 2, 3 or 4-biphenylcarbonyl.

[0214] Acyl which is derived from an organic carbonic acid is, for example, alkoxycarbonyl, especially lower alkoxycarbonyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl or is cycloalkoxycarbonyl, especially C₃-C₇-cycloalkyloxycarbonyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by lower alkyl.

[0215] Acyl which is derived from a carbamic acid is, for example, aminocarbonyl which is optionally substituted on nitrogen by one or two of lower alkyl, carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl-lower alkyl, carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl, or by lower alkylene or lower alkylene interrupted by O or S.

[0216] Acyl which is derived from an organic sulfonic acid represents, for example, lower alkylsulfonyl, carbocyclic or heterocyclic arylsulfonyl, carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl-lower alkysulfonyl, in which aryl is e.g. phenyl, naphthyl or thienyl, such being optionally substituted by, for example, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halo, nitro, trifluoromethyl, carboxyl or lower alkoxycarbonyl.

[0217] Aryl represents carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl.

[0218] Carbocyclic aryl represents monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic aryl, for example phenyl or phenyl mono-, di- or tri-substituted by one, two or three radicals selected from lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, aryl, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, lower alkylenedioxy and oxy-C₂-C₃-alkylene; or 1- or 2-naphthyl; or 1- or 2-phenanthrenyl. Lower alkylenedioxy is a divalent substituent attached to two adjacent carbon atoms of phenyl, e.g. methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy. Oxy-C₂-C₃-alkylene is also a divalent substituent attached to two adjacent carbon atoms of phenyl, e.g. oxyethylene or oxypropylene. An example for oxy-C₂-C₃-alkylene-phenyl is 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl.

[0219] Preferred as carbocyclic aryl is naphthyl, phenyl or phenyl mono- or disubstituted by lower alkoxy, phenyl, halogen, lower alkyl or trifluoromethyl, especially phenyl or phenyl mono- or disubstituted by lower alkoxy, halogen or trifluoromethyl, and in particular phenyl.

[0220] Examples of substituted phenyl groups as R are, e.g. 4-chlorophen-1-yl, 3,4-dichlorophen-1-yl, 4-methoxyphen-1-yl, 4-methylphen-1-yl, 4-aminomethylphen-1-yl, 4-methoxyethylaminomethylphen-1-yl, 4-hydroxyethylaminomethylphen-1-yl, 4-hydroxyethyl-(methyl)-aminomethylphen-1-yl, 3-aminomethylphen-1-yl, 4-N-acetylaminomethylphen-1-yl, 4-aminophen-1-yl, 3-aminophen-1-yl, 2-aminophen-1-yl, 4-phenyl-phen-1-yl, 4-(imidazol-1-yl)-phen-1-yl, 4-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-phen-1-yl, 4-(morpholin-1-yl)-phen-1-yl, 4-(morpholin-1-ylmethyl)-phen-1-yl, 4-(2-methoxyethylaminomethyl)-phen-1-yl and 4-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)-phen-1-yl, 4-(2-thiophenyl)-phen-1-yl, 4-(3-thiophenyl)-phen-1-yl, 4-(4-methylpiperazen-1-yl)-phen-1-yl, and 4-(piperidinyl)-phenyl and 4-(pyridinyl)-phenyl optionally substituted in the heterocyclic ring.

[0221] Heterocyclic aryl represents monocyclic or bicyclic heteroaryl, for example pyridyl, indolyl, quinoxalinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzothienyl, benzofuranyl, benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thienyl, or any said radical substituted, especially mono- or di-substituted, by e.g. lower alkyl, nitro or halogen. Pyridyl represents 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, advantageously 2- or 3-pyridyl. Thienyl represents 2- or 3-thienyl. Quinolinyl represents preferably 2-, 3- or 4-quinolinyl. Isoquinolinyl represents preferably 1-, 3- or 4-isoquinolinyl. Benzopyranyl, benzothiopyranyl represent preferably 3-benzopyranyl or 3-benzothiopyranyl, respectively. Thiazolyl represents preferably 2- or 4-thiazolyl, advantageously 4-thiazolyl. Triazolyl is preferably 1-, 2- or 5-(1,2,4-triazolyl). Tetrazolyl is preferably 5-tetrazolyl.

[0222] Preferably, heterocyclic aryl is pyridyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thienyl, or any said radical substituted, especially mono- or di-substituted, by lower alkyl or halogen; and in particular pyridyl.

[0223] Arylene (Ar in formula III) is an aryl linking group in which aryl is heterocyclic or carbocyclic aryl, preferably monocyclic as defined above.

[0224] A heterocyclic aryl linking group is for instance (but not limited thereto) 1, 3-pyrazolyl, 2,4- or 2,5-pyridyl or 1,4-imidazolyl in which the groups as depicted in formula III are attached to the ring at the indicated positions.

[0225] A carbocyclic aryl linking group is for instance (but not limited thereto) optionally substituted phenyl in which the two groups as depicted in formula I are attached ortho, meta or para to each other.

[0226] Biaryl is may be carbocyclic biaryl, preferably e.g. biphenyl, namely 2, 3 or 4-biphenyl, advantageously 4-biphenyl, each optionally substituted by e.g. lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl or cyano, or heterocyclic-carbocyclic biaryl, preferably e.g. thienylphenyl, pyrrolylphenyl and pyrazolylphenyl.

[0227] Cycloalkyl represents a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon optionally substituted by lower alkyl which contains 3 to 10 ring carbons and is advantageously cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl optionally substituted by lower alkyl.

[0228] Bicycloalkyl is for example norbornanyl.

[0229] Heterocyclyl represents a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon containing one or more, preferably 1 or 2, hetero atoms selected from O, N or S, and from 3 to 10, preferably 5 to 8, ring atoms; for example, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydropyrrolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholino.

[0230] Aryl-lower alkyl represents preferably (carbocyclic aryl or heterocylic aryl)-lower alkyl.

[0231] Carbocyclic aryl-lower alkyl represents preferably straight chain or branched aryl-C₁₋₄-alkyl in which carbocyclic aryl has meaning as defined above, e.g. benzyl or phenyl-(ethyl, propyl or butyl), each unsubstituted or substituted on phenyl ring as defined under carbocyclic aryl above, advantageously optionally substituted benzyl, e.g. benzyl substituted or phenyl lay lower alkyl.

[0232] Heterocyclic aryl-lower alkyl represents preferably straight chain or branched heterocyclic aryl-C₁₋₄-alkyl in which heterocyclic aryl has meaning as defined above, e.g. 2-, 3- or 4-pyridylmethyl or (2, 3- or 4-pyridyl)-(ethyl, propyl or butyl); or 2- or 3-thienylmethyl or (2- or 3-thienyl)-(ethyl, propyl or butyl); 2-, 3- or 4-quinolinylmethyl or (2-, 3- or 4-quinolinyl)-(ethyl, propyl or butyl); or 2- or 4-thiazolylmethyl or (2- or 4-thiazolyl)-(ethyl, propyl or butyl).

[0233] Cycloalkyl-lower alkyl represents e.g. (cyclopentyl- or cyclohexyl)-(methyl or ethyl).

[0234] Biaryl-lower alkyl represents e.g. 4-biphenylyl-(methyl or ethyl).

[0235] Acyl as in acyloxy is derived from an organic carboxylic acid, carbonic acid or carbamic acid. Acyl represents e.g. lower alkanoyl, carbocyclic aryl-lower alkanoyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, aroyl, di-lower alkylaminocarbonyl or di-lower alkylamino-lower alkanoyl. Preferably, acyl is lower alkanoyl.

[0236] Lower alkanoyl represents e.g. C₁₋₇-alkanoyl including formyl, and is preferably C₂₋₄-alkanoyl such as acetyl or propionyl.

[0237] Aroyl represents e.g. benzoyl or benzoyl mono- or di-substituted by one or two radicals selected from lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, cyano and trifluoromethyl; or 1- or 2-naphthoyl; and also e.g. pyridylcarbonyl.

[0238] Lower alkoxycarbonyl represents preferably C₁₋₄-alkoxycarbonyl, e.g. ethoxycarbonyl.

[0239] Esterified carboxyl is carboxyl derivatized as a pharmaceutically acceptable ester, for example lower alkoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl or allyloxycarbonyl.

[0240] Amidated carboxyl is carboxyl derivatized as a pharmaceutically acceptable amide, for example aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-lower alkylaminocarbonyl.

[0241] Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the acidic compounds of the invention are salts formed with bases, namely cationic salts such as alkali and alkaline earth metal salts, such as sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, as well as ammonium salts, such as ammonium, trimethyl-ammonium, diethylammonium, and tris-(hydroxymethyl)-methyl-ammonium salts.

[0242] Similarly acid addition salts, such as of mineral acids, organic carboxylic and organic sulfonic acids e.g. hydrochloric acid, methanesulfonic acid, maleic acid, are also possible provided a basic group, such as pyridyl, constitutes part of the structure.

[0243] The compounds of the invention exhibit valuable pharmacological properties in mammals and are particularly useful as cysteine cathepsin inhibitors.

[0244] The cathepsin inhibitory effects of the compound of the invention can be determined in vitro by measuring the inhibition of e.g. recombinant human cathepsins B, K, L and S. The buffer used in the cathepsin B, L and S assays is a 0.1 M pH 5.8 phosphate buffer containing EDTA (1.33 mM), DTT (2.7 mM) and Brij (0.03%).

[0245] The in vitro assays are carried out as follows:

[0246] (a) For cathepsin B:

[0247] To a microtiter well is added 100 uL of a 20 uM solution of inhibitor in assay buffer followed by 50 uL of a 6.4 mM solution of Z-Arg-Arg-AMC substrate (Peptides International) in assay buffer. After mixing, 50 uL of a 0.544 mM solution of recombinant human cathepsin B in assay buffer is added to the well, yielding a final inhibitor concentration of 10 uM. Enzyme activity is determined by measuring fluorescence of the liberated aminomethylcoumarin at 440 nM using 380 nM excitation, at 20 minutes. % Enzyme inhibition is determined by comparison of this activity to that of a solution containing no inhibitor. Compounds are subsequently subjected to a dose response curve analysis to determine IC₅₀ values.

[0248] (b) For cathepsin K:

[0249] The assay is performed in 96 well microtiter plates at ambient temperature using recombinant human cathepsin K. Inhibition of cathepsin K is assayed at a constant enzyme (0.16 nM) and substrate concentration (54 mM Z-Phe-Arg-MCA—Peptide Institute Inc. Osaka, Japan) in 100 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, containing 2 mM dithiothreitol, 20 mM Tween 80 and 1 mM EDTA. Cathepsin K is preincubated with the inhibitors for 30 min, and the reaction is initiated by the addition of substrate. After 30 min incubation the reaction is stopped by the addition of E-64 (2 mM), and fluorescence intensity is read on a multi-well plate reader at excitation and emission wavelengths of 360 and 460 nm, respectively.

[0250] (c) For cathepsin L:

[0251] Recombinant human cathepsin L is activated prior to use in this assay: To 500 uL of a 510 nM solution of cathepsin L in a 50 mM pH 5.0 acetate buffer containing 1 mM EDTA, 3 mM DTT and 150 mM NaCl is added 10 uL of a 625 uM solution of dextran sulfate (ave. mw=8000), and the resulting solution is incubated on ice for 30 min. 4 uL of this solution is then diluted into 46 uL assay buffer, yielding a 40 nM enzyme solution. To perform the assay, 100 uL of a 20 uM solution of inhibitor in assay buffer is added to a microtiter well. 50 uL of a 20 uM solution of Z-Phe-Arg-AMC (Peptides International) is then added. After mixing, 50 uL of the activated 40 nM solution of recombinant human cathepsin L in assay buffer is then added to the well, yielding a final inhibitor concentration of 10 uM. Enzyme activity is determined by measuring fluorescence of the liberated aminomethylcoumarin at 440 nM using 380 nM excitation of 20 minutes. % Enzyme inhibition is determined by comparison of this activity to that of a solution containing no inhibitor. Compounds are subsequently subjected to a dose response curve analysis to determine IC₅₀ values.

[0252] (d) For cathepsin S:

[0253] To a microtiter well is added 100 uL of a 20 uM solution of inhibitor is assay buffer. 50 uL of a 700 uM solution of Z-Val-Val-Arg-AMC substrate (Peptides International) is then added. After mixing, 50 uL of a 5.2 nM solution of recombinant human cathepsin S in assay buffer is then added to the well, yielding a final inhibitor concentration of 10 uM. Enzyme activity is determined by measuring fluorescence of the liberated aminomethylcoumarin at 440 nM using 380 nM excitation at 200 minutes. % Enzyme inhibition is determined by comparison of this activity to that of a solution containing no inhibitor. Compounds are subsequently subjected to a dose response curve analysis to determine IC₅₀ values.

[0254] In view of their activity as inhibitors of cysteine cathepsin enzymes, Compounds of the Invention are particularly useful in mammals as agents for treatment and prophylaxis of diseases and medical conditions involving elevated levels of cathepsins. Such diseases include diseases involving infection by organisms such as pneumocystis carinii, trypsanoma cruzi, trypsanoma brucei, crithidia fuisiculata, as well as parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis and malaria, tumours (tumour invasion and tumour metastasis), and other diseases such as metachromatic leukodystrophy, muscular dystrophy, amytrophy and similar diseases.

[0255] Cathepsins, in particular K, have been implicated in diseases of excessive bone loss, and thus the Compounds of the Invention may be used for treatment and prophylaxis of such diseases, including osteoporosis, gingival diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis, Paget's disease, hypercalcemia of malignancy, e.g. tumour-induced hypercalcemia and metabolic bone disease. Also the Compounds of the Invention may be use for treatment or prophylaxis of diseases of excessive cartilage or matrix degradation, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as certain neoplastic diseases involving expression of high levels of proteolytic enzymes and matrix degradation.

[0256] Compounds of the Invention, are also indicated for preventing or treating coronary disease, atherosclerosis (including atherosclerotic plaque rupture and destabilization), autoimmune diseases, respiratory diseases and immunologically mediated diseases (including transplant rejection).

[0257] Compounds of the Invention, in particular cathepsin K selective inhibitor compounds, are particularly indicated for preventing or treating osteoporosis of various genesis (e.g. juvenile, menopausal, post-menopausal, post-traumatic, caused by old age or by cortico-steroid therapy or inactivity).

[0258] Beneficial effects are evaluated in in vitro and in vivo pharmacological tests generally known in the art, and as illustrated herein.

[0259] The above cited properties are demonstrable in in vitro and in vivo tests, using advantageously mammals, e.g. rats, mice, dogs, or isolated organs and tissues, as well as mammalian enzyme preparations, either natural or prepared by e.g. recombinant technology. Compounds of the Invention can be applied in vitro in the form of solutions, e.g. preferably aqueous solutions or suspensions, and in vivo either enterally or parenterally, advantageously orally, e.g. as a suspension or in aqueous solution, or as a solid capsule formulation. The dosage in vitro may range between about 10⁻⁵ molar and 10⁻⁹ molar concentrations. The dosage in vivo may range, depending on the route of administration, between about 00.1 and 100 mg/kg.

[0260] The antiarthritic efficacy of the compounds of the invention for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can be determined using models such as or similar to the rat model of adjuvant arthritis, as described previously (R. E. Esser, et. al. J. Rheumatology, 1993, 20, 1176.)

[0261] The efficacy of the compounds of the invention for the treatment of osteoarthritis can be determined using models such as or similar to the rabbit partial lateral meniscectomy model, as described previously (Colombo et al. Arth. Rheum. 1993 26, 875-886). The efficacy of the compounds in the model can be quantified using histological scoring methods, as described previously (O'Byrne et al. Inflamm Res 1995, 44, S117-S118).

[0262] The efficacy of the compounds of the invention for the treament of osteoporosis can be determined using an animal model such as the ovarectomised rat or other similar species in which test compounds are administered to the animal and the presence of markers of bone resorption are measured in urine or serum.

[0263] The compounds of the invention are prepared by:

[0264] (a) converting an amide of the formula VI

[0265]  wherein R, R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ have meaning as previously defined for the compounds of formula I to a nitrile of formula I; or

[0266] (b) condensing a compound of the formula VII

[0267]  wherein R₄ and R₅ have meaning as defined hereinabove, with an acid of formula VIII

[0268] wherein R, R₂ and R₃ have meaning as defined above; or with a reactive derivative thereof; or

[0269] (c) condensing a compound of the formula Ia

[0270] wherein R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ have meaning as defined hereinabove with an acid corresponding to the group R-[L]_(x)-X₁— or with a reactive derivative thereof; and in the above processes, if required, temporarily protecting any interfering reactive groups and then isolating the resulting compound of the invention; and, if desired, converting any resulting compound into another compound of the invention; and/or if desired, converting a resulting compound into a salt or a resulting salt into the free acid or base or into another salt.

[0271] Appropriate protecting groups are used for starting compounds and intermediates, for instance as hereinafter described in the Examples.

[0272] The conversion of primary amides of formula V to the nitrites of formula I, according to process (a), can be carried out according to methods well known in the art for the dehydration of a primary amide to a nitrile, e.g. with thionyl chloride in the presence of a base. A preferred procedure involves the treatment with oxalyl chloride and pyridine in DMF at or below room temperature as illustrated in the examples.

[0273] The starting materials of formula VI can be prepared by condensing an amino acid amide of formula IX

[0274] wherein R₄, and R₅ have meaning as defined above with an acid of the formula VIII, in protected form as appropriate.

[0275] The condensation can be carried out according to methods well-known in the art, e.g. by reacting a mixed anhydride or an acyl halide of the acid of formula VIII e.g. the acid chloride, with an amino acid amide of formula IX, in an inert solvent such as methylene chloride, in the presence of a base, such as an amine like triethylamine or pyridine.

[0276] The acylation of an acid of formula VIII with an amino acid amide of formula IX can also be carried out in the presence of a condensing agent such as N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethyl-carbodiimide, optionally in the presence of e.g. hydroxybenzotriazole or 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzo-triazole, and a base such as N-methylmorpholine.

[0277] The amino acid amides of formula IX are either known or can be prepared according to methodology known in the art and illustrated herein.

[0278] Alternative procedures and conditions may be used; for instance as described in the Examples.

[0279] Compounds of the invention are either obtained in the free form, or as a salt thereof if salt forming groups are present.

[0280] Acidic Compounds of the Invention may be converted into metal salts with pharmaceutically acceptable bases, e.g. an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide, advantageously in the presence of an ethereal or alcoholic solvent, such as a lower alkanol. Resulting salts may be converted into the free compounds by treatment with acids. These or other salts can also be used for purification of the compounds obtained. Ammonium salts are obtained by reaction with the appropriate amine, e.g. diethylamine, and the like.

[0281] Compounds of the Invention having basic groups can be converted into acid addition salts, especially pharmaceutically acceptable salts. These are formed, for example, with inorganic acids, such as mineral acids, for example sulfuric acid, a phosphoric or hydrohalic acid, or with organic carboxylic acids, such as (C₁-C₄)alkanecarboxylic acids which, for example, are unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, for example acetic acid, such as saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, for example oxalic, succinic, maleic or fumaric acid, such as hydroxycarboxylic acids, for example glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric or citric acid, such as amino acids, for example aspartic or glutamic acid, or with organic sulfonic acids, such as (C₁-C₄)-alkylsulfonic acids (for example methanesulfonic acid) or arylsulfonic acids which are unsubstituted or substituted (for example by halogen). Preferred are salts formed with hydrochloric acid, methanesulfonic acid and maleic acid.

[0282] In view of the close relationship between the free compounds and the compounds in the form of their salts, whenever a compound is referred to in this context, a corresponding salt is also intended, provided such is possible or appropriate under the circumstances.

[0283] The compounds, including their salts, can also be obtained in the form of their hydrates, or include other solvents used for their crystallization.

[0284] The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention are those suitable for enteral, such as oral or rectal, transdermal, topical, and parenteral administration to mammals, including man, to inhibit cathepsin activity, and for the treatment of cathepsin dependent disorders, in particular inflammation, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and comprise an effective amount of a pharmacologically active compound of the invention, alone or in combination, with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

[0285] More particularly, the pharmaceutical compositions comprise an effective cathepsin inhibiting amount of a Compound of the Invention.

[0286] The pharmacologically active Compounds of the Invention are useful in the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount thereof in conjunction or admixture with excipients or carriers suitable for either enteral or parenteral application. Preferred are tablets and gelatin capsules comprising the active ingredient together with a) diluents, e.g. lactose, dextrose, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol, cellulose and/or glycine; b) lubricants, e.g. silica, talcum, stearic acid, its magnesium or calcium salt and/or polyethyleneglycol; for tablets also c) binders e.g. magnesium aluminum silicate, starch paste, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and or polyvinylpyrrolidone; if desired d) disintegrants, e.g. starches, agar, alginic acid or its sodium salt, or effervescent mixtures; and/or e) absorbents, colorants, flavors and sweeteners. Injectable compositions are preferably aqueous isotonic solutions or suspensions, and suppositories are advantageously prepared from fatty emulsions or suspensions. Said compositions may be sterilized and/or contain adjuvants, such as preserving, stabilizing, wetting or emulsifing agents, solution promoters, salts for regulating the osmotic pressure and/or buffers. In addition, they may also contain other therapeutically valuable substances. Said compositions are prepared according to conventional mixing, granulating or coating methods, respectively, and contain about 0.1 to 75%, preferably about 1 to 50%, of the active ingredient.

[0287] Tablets may be either film coated or enteric coated according to methods known in the art.

[0288] Suitable formulations for transdermal application include an effective amount of a compound of the invention with carrier. Advantageous carriers include absorbable pharmacologically acceptable solvents to assist passage through the skin of the host. For example, transdermal devices are in the form of a bandage comprising a backing member, a reservoir containing the compound optionally with carriers, optionally a rate controlling barrier to deliver the compound of the skin of the host at a controlled and predetermined rate over a prolonged period of time, and means to secure the device to the skin. Matrix transdermal formulations may also be used.

[0289] Suitable formulations for topical application, e.g. to the skin and eyes, are preferably aqueous solutions, ointments, creams or gels well-known in the art. Such may contain solubilizers, stabilizers, tonicity enhancing agents, buffers and preservatives.

[0290] The pharmaceutical formulations contain an effective cathepsin inhibiting amount of a Compound of the Invention as defined above, either alone or in combination with another therapeutic agent.

[0291] In conjunction with another active ingredient, a Compound of the Invention may be administered either simultaneously, before or after the other active ingredient, either separately by the same or different route of administration or together in the same pharmaceutical formulation. The dosage of active compound administered is dependent on the species of warm-blooded animal (mammal), the body weight, age and individual condition, and on the form of administration. A unit dosage for oral administration to a mammal of about 50 to 70 kg may contain between about 5 and 500 mg of the active ingredient.

[0292] The present invention also relates to methods of using Compounds of the Invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or pharmaceutical compositions thereof, in mammals for inhibiting cathepsins, such as cathepsin B, K, L and/or S, and for the treatment of cathepsin dependent conditions, such as cathepsin B, K, L and/or S dependent conditions, described herein, e.g. inflammation, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

[0293] Particularly the present invention relates to a method of selectively inhibiting cathepsin activity in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective cathepsin inhibiting amount of a Compound of the Invention.

[0294] More specifically such relates to a method of treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and inflammation (and other diseases as identified above) in mammals comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof a correspondingly effective amount of a Compound of the Invention.

[0295] The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention and are not to be construed as being limitations thereon. Temperatures are given in degrees Centrigrade. If not mentioned otherwise, all evaporations are performed under reduced pressure, preferably between about 15 and 100 mm Hg (=20-133 mbar). The structure of final products, intermediates and starting materials is confirmed by standard analytical methods, e.g. microanalysis and spectroscopic characteristics (e.g. MS, IR, NMR). Abbreviations used are those conventional in the art.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of Indol-4-yl-C(O)-Leu-Gly(CN) of Formula X

[0296]

[0297] A. Fmoc-Leu-Gly(CN)

[0298] [1-(Cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-carbamic acid 9.H.-fluoren-9-yl methyl ester

[0299] Fmoc-Leucine (0.27 mmol) and aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride (32.4 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (300 ml) and cooled with ice-salt. HOBt (32.4 mmol) and WSCD (32.4 mmol) are added, and the reaction mixture is stirred at 4-25° C. over night. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1N hydrochloric acid and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel using n-hexane/ethyl acetate=1/1 (v/v) gives the product in 90% yield.

[0300] mp. 173-175° C., Rf=0.68 (chloroform:methanol:acetic acid=90:10:1).

[0301] B. H-Leu-Gly(CN)

[0302] 2-Amino-4-methyl-pentanoic acid cyanomethyl-amide

[0303] Fmoc-Leu-Gly(CN) (18 mmol) is dissolved in 20% piperidine in dimethylformamide (36 ml). The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 60 min. After evaporation of the solvent and chromatography on silica gel using n-hexane, n-hexane/ethyl acetate=1/1 and 10% methanol in chloroform, the product is obtained in 93% yield.

[0304] oil, Rf=0.73 (n-propanol:water:ethyl acetate:ammonia=5:1:2:1).

[0305] C. Indol-5-yl-C(O)-Leu-Gly(CN)

[0306] Indol-5-ylcarboxylic acid (1.0 eq.) and H-Leu-Gly(CN) (1.2 eq.) are dissolved in dimethylformamide and cooled with ice-salt. HOBt (1.2 eq.) and WSCD (1.2 eq.) are added and the reaction mixture is stirred at 4-25° C. over night. After ethyl acetate is added to the reaction mixture, the organic layer is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1N hydrochloric acid and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel gives the title product in 70% yield.

[0307] mp. 201-204° C., Rf=0.39 (n-hexane:AcOEt=1:2)

Example 2 5-Amino-quinoline-2-carboxylic acid [1-(cyanomethyl-carbarnoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0308] 5-Nitro-quinoline-2-carboxylic acid [1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-amide (0.35 mmol) is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) and methanol (10 ml) at room temperature. Na₂S₂O₄ aq * (7 mmol) is added to the solution, and the reaction mixture is heated at reflux for 90 min. The crude product is isolated by filtration and purified by chromatography on silica gel using 2% methanol in chloroform. The product is obtained in 33% yield. mp.190-194° C., Rf=0.60 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=1:5). *A. S. Kende et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 25, 923-926, (1984).

Example 3 p-Acetamidomethylbenzoyl-Leu-Gly(CN)

[0309] p-Aminomethylbenzoyl-Leu-Gly(CN) (see Example 14 below)(0.33 mmol) and acetic acid (3.3 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (10 ml) and cooled in an ice bath. HOBt (0.4 mmol) and WSCD (0.4 mmol) are added and the reaction mixture is stirred at 4-25° C. over night. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1N hydrochloric acid and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. Diethylether is added to the residue to give a precipitate, which is collected by filtration and precipitated again from ethyl acetate with diethylether to give the product in 32% yield.

[0310] mp.176-184.5° C., Rf=0.24 (chloroform:methanol=9:1).

[0311] By repeating the procedures described in the above Examples using appropriate starting materials and conditions the following compounds of formula XI are obtained as identified below in Table 1. TABLE 1

Example No. Rx mp. (° C.) Rf (solvent) 4

52-70 0.24 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:1) 5

150-160 0.30 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:2) 6

170-194 0.77 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:2) 7

  169-184.5 0.43 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:1) 8

  210-235.5 0.39 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:1) 9

174.5-176.5 0.48 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:2) 10

163-167 0.42 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:1) 11

234-242 0.43 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:1) 12

  156-158.5 0.31 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:1) 13

191.5-199   0.45 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:1) 14

57-64 0.80 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:2) 15

0.31 (chloroform:MeOH = 7:3) 16

89-95 0.61 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:2) 17

223-224 0.23 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:2) 18

143-144 0.70 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:2) 19

0.33 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:1) 20

0.47 (n-hexane:AcOEt = 1:1) 21

122-126 0.18 (CH₂Cl₂:MeOH = 9:1) 22

oil 0.17 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH/NH₃ = 9:1) 23

248-250 0.35 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 24

136-138 0.21 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 95:5) 25

225-227 0.10 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 26

97-99 0.41 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 27

164-168 0.27 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 28

114-116 0.16 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 95:5) 29

<70 0.16 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 30

89-91 0.19 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1)

Example 31 Indole-2-carboxylic acid {1-[(cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbamoyl]-cyclohexyl}-amide

[0312] A. Fmoc-1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid

[0313] The title compound is prepared from 1-cyclohexane carboxylic acid (7 mmol), Fmoc-CI (7.7 mmol) and NaOH (14 mmol) in the usual manner in 18% yield. Rf=0.17 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=1:2).

[0314] B. Boc-2-Aminoisobutyric acid amide

[0315] 28% aqueous ammonia (66 mmol) is added to the mixed anhydride (prepared from 22 mmol of Boc-2-aminobutyric acid and 22 mmol of iso-butylcholoroformate by customary procedures) at −20° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at 4-25° C. overnight. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1N hydrochloric acid and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is purified by chromatography on silica gel using n-hexane/ethyl acetate=1/1 and n-hexane/ethyl acetate=1/2, to give the product in 31% yield.

[0316] mp. 168-177.5° C., Rf=0.41 (chloroform:methanol=9:1).

[0317] C. 2-Aminobutyric acid amide hydrochloride

[0318] Boc-2-Aminoisobutyric acid amide is dissolved in 4N hydrochloride in dioxane. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 60 min. Diethylether is added to the solution to give a white precipitate, which is collected in 91% yield by filtration. The crude product is used for the next coupling without further purification.

[0319] Rf=0.28 (n-PrOH:H₂O:ethyl acetate:NH3=5:1:2:1).

[0320] D. Fmoc-1-Amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (1-carbamoyl-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide

[0321] Fmoc-1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (2.2 mmol) and 2-aminobutyric acid amide hydrochloride (2.2 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (30 ml) and cooled with ice-salt. HOBt (2.6 mmol) and WSCD (2.6 mmol) are added and the reaction mixture is stirred at 4-25° C. over night. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1N hydrochloric acid and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is purified by chromatography on silica gel using n-hexane/ethyl acetate=1/4 and n-hexane/ethyl acetate=1/6, to give the product in quantitative yield.

[0322] mp.177.5-178.5° C., Rf=0.24 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=1:5)

[0323] E. Fmoc-1-Amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-amide

[0324] Thionyl chloride (2.6 mmol) is added to the solution of Fmoc-1-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (1-carbamoyl-1-methyl-ethyl)-amide (0.86 mmol) in dimethylformamide (10 ml) at 4° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at 4° C. for 2 h., ethyl acetate and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution are added and the organic layer is washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is purified by chromatography on silica gel using n-hexane/ethyl acetate=3/1, to give the product in quantitative yield.

[0325] Rf=0.57 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=1:1).

[0326] F. 1-Amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-amide

[0327] Fmoc-1-Amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-amide (2.1 mmol) is dissolved in 20% piperidin in dimethylformamide (6.3 ml). The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 60 min. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude product is purified by chormatography on silica gel using n-hexane, n-hexane/ethyl acetate=1/1 and 10% methanol in chloroform, to give the product in 31% yield. oil,

[0328] Rf=0.84 (n-propanol:water:ethyl acetate:ammonia=5:1:2:1)

[0329] G. Indole-2-carboxylic acid {1-[(cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbamoyl]-cyclohexyl}-amide

[0330] 2-Indole carboxylic acid (0.51 mmol) and 1-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-amide (0.61 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (15 ml) and cooled in an ice bath. HOBt (0.61 mmol) and WSCD.HCl (0.61 mmol) are added and the reaction mixture is stirred at 4-25° C. over night. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1N hydrochloric acid and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is purified by chromatography on silica using n-hexane/ethyl acetate=4/1 and n-hexane/ethyl acetate=2/1, to give the product in 71% yield.

[0331] mp.200-202° C., Rf=0.55 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=1:1)

Example 32 Synthesis of Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid [1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-2-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0332] A. 2-tert-Butyloxycarbonylamino-3-methyl-pentanoic acid cyanomethyl-amide

[0333] N-Tertbutyloxycarbonyl-isoleucine semihydrate (3 g, 12.5 mmol), HOBt (3.71 g, 27.5 mmol, 2.2 eq.) and aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride (1.27 g, 13.7 mmol, 1.1 eq.) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (36 ml) and WSCD (2.5 ml, 13.7 mmol, 1.1 eq.) is added. After stiring for 1 hour at rt, 4% sodium bicarbonate solution is added and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is washed with sodium bicarbonate and dilute hydrochloric acid, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated, to give the product in quantitative yield.

[0334] mp. 125-133.5° C, Rf=0.44 (hexanes:ethyl acetate=1:1)

[0335] B. 2-Amino-3-methyl-pentanoic acid cyanomethyl-amide hydrochloride

[0336] 2-tert-Butyloxycarbonylamino-3-methyl-pentanoic acid cyanomethyl-amide (2 g, 7.4 mmol) is dissolved in 4N hydrochloride in dioxane (10 ml). After 15 min. at rt the solvent is evaporated to give the product in quantitative yield. The crude product is used for the next step without further purification.

[0337] Rf (free amine)=0.33 (ethyl acetate:methanol=10:1)

[0338] C. Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid [1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-2-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0339] 2-Naphthoylchloride (255 mg, 1.34 mmol, 1.1 eq.) is added to the solution of 2-amino-3-methyl-pentanoic acid cyanomethyl-amide hydrochloride (250 mg, 1.22mmmo) and triethylanine (0.42 ml, 3.04 mmol, 2.5 eq.) in 5 ml dichloromethane. After 1 hour at rt 1 N hydrochloric acid is added and the reaction mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate 10/1 to 5/1, followed by ethyl acetate) gives the product in 97% yield (381 mg).

[0340] mp. 203.5-207° C., Rf=0.44 (hexanes:ethyl acetate=1:1).

Example 33 Synthesis of Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid [1-(1-cyano-3-methyl-butylcarbamoyl)-2-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0341] A. N-(Naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-isoleucine methylester

[0342] L-isoleucine methylester hydrochloride (2.0 g, 111.0 mmol) and triethylamine (3.1 ml, 22.0 mmol, 2 eq.) are dissolved in dichloromethane (40 ml). The solution is cooled in an icebath and 2-naphthoylchloride (2.1 g, 111.0 mmol, 1 eq.) is added. The reaction mixture is allowed to warm up to rt and after 1 hour 1N hydrochloric acid is added. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated to give the product in 98% yield.

[0343] Rf=0.50 (hexanes:ethyl acetate=2:1)

[0344] B. N-(Naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-isoleucine

[0345] N-(Naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-isoleucine methylester (3.14 g, 10.5 mmol) is stirred in a mixture of methanol (35 ml) and 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide (16.8 ml, 1.6 eq.). After 3 hours at rt the mixture is heated for 1 hour at 40° C. 1 N hydrochloric acid and brine is added and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated to give the product in quantitative yield (partly epimerized).

[0346] Rf=0.32 (hexane:ethyl acetate=1:2)

[0347] C. (S)-1-Cyano-3-methyl-butylamine hydrochloride

[0348] (S)—N-tert-Butyloxycarbonyl-1-cyano-3-methyl-butylamine (CAS 115654-59-6) (3.7 g, 17.4 mmol) is dissolved in 4N hydrogenchloride in dioxane (20 ml). After 15 minutes at rt the solvent is evaporated, the residue is taken up in diethylether, the solid is filtered and dried in vacuum to give the product in 81% yield.

[0349] Rf (free amine)=0.34 (hexane:ethyl acetate=1:1)

[0350] D. Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid [1-(1-cyano-3-methyl-butylcarbamoyl)-2-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0351] N-(Naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-isoleucine (250 mg, 0.87 mmol), (S)-1-cyano-3-methyl-butylamine (143 mg, 0.96 mmol, 1.1 eq.) and HOBt (260 mg, 1.93 mmol, 2.2 eq.) are dissoved in dimethylformamide (5 ml) and WSCD (0.17 ml, 0.96 mmol, 1.1 eq.) is added. After stirring for 1 hour at rt, 4% sodium bicarbonate solution is added and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is washed with sodium bicarbonate and dilute hydrochloric acid, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate 2/1) gives the product in 68% yield (mixture of epimers).

[0352] Rf=0.43 (hexanes:ethyl acetate=2:1)

Example 34 Synthesis of Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid [1-(1-cyano-3-methyl-butylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0353] A. N-(Naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-leucine

[0354] The title compound is prepared analogously is prepared similar to N-(Naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-isoleucine (see above) in 98% yield, starting from leucine methylester.

[0355] Rf=0.34 (hexanes:ethyl acetate=1:1)

[0356] B. Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid [1-(1-cyano-3-methyl-butylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0357] N-(Naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-leucine (250 mg, 0.88 mmol), (S)-1-cyano-3-methyl-butylamine (143 mg, 0.96 mmol, 1.1 eq.) and HOBt (260 mg, 1.93 mmol, 2.2 eq.) are dissovled in dimethylformamide (5 ml) and WSCD (0.18 ml, 0.97 mmol, 1.1 eq.) is added. After stiring for 1 hour at rt, 4% sodium bicarbonate solution is added and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is washed with sodium bicarbonate and dilute hydrochloric acid, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate 2/1) gives the product in 79% yield (mixture of epimers).

[0358] Rf=0.44 (hexane:ethyl acetate=2:1)

Example 35 Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid {1-[1-cyano-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-ethylcarbamoyl]-3-methyl-butyl}-amide

[0359] The title compound is prepared analogously to the compound of Example 22. N-(Naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-leucine and 1-cyano-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-ethylamine (CAS 169545-97-5) are reacted by the same procedure as for Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid [1-(1-cyano-3-methyl-butylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-amide, to give the product in 36% yield after chromatography on silica gel (hexane/ethyl acetate 1/1) (mixture of epimers).

[0360] Rf=0.59 (hexane:ethyl acetate=1:1)

Example 36 Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid[1-(1-cyano-1-methyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0361] A. N-tert-Butyloxycarbonyl-1-cyano-1-methyl-ethylamine

[0362] Boc-2-aminoisobutyric acid amide(4.58 g, 22.6 mmol) and triethylamine(7 ml, 50 mmol, 2.2 eq.) are dissolved in THF(100 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid anhydride(3.5 ml, 25 mmol, 1.1 eq.) is added at 0. The reaction mixture is stirred at 0° for 1 hour.The mixture is concentrated and water is added. The organic layer is extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is purified by chromatography on silica gel using n-hexane/ethyl acetate=20/1, 10/1, 5/1 and 1/1 to give the product in 74% yield.

[0363] Rf=0.45(n-hexane/ethyl acetate=3/1)

[0364] B. 1-Cyano-1-methyl-ethylamine hydrochloride

[0365] N-tert-Butyloxycarbonyl-1-cyano-1-methyl-ethylamine(3.09 g, 16.8 mmol) is dissolved in dioxane(15 ml) and 4N hydrochloric acid-dioxane(25 ml) is added at 0°. The reaction mixture is stirred at 0° for 1.5 hours, then at rt for 1 hour. The mixture is concentrated and diethyl ether is added. The resulting white precipitate is washed with diethyl ether and dried to give the product in 83% yield. The crude product is used for the next coupling without further purification.

[0366] Rf=0.66(n-PrOH/H₂O/ethyl acetate/NH₃=5/1/2/1)

[0367] C. Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid[1-(1-cyano-1-methyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0368] N-(Naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-leucine (279 mg, 0.98 mmol), 1-cyano-1-methyl-ethylamine hydrochloride (137 mg, 1.14 mmol, 1.2 eq.) and HOBt (297 mg, 2.20 mmol, 2.2 eq.) are dissolved in dimethylformamide(5 ml) and WSCD (0.2 ml, 1.09 mmol, 1.1 eq.) is added at −10°. After stirring for 1.5 hours at −10°, 5% sodium bicarbonate solution is added and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/ethyl acetate=20/1, 10/1, 5/1, 3/1 and 1/1) gives the product in 8.7% yield (mixture of enantiomers).

[0369] Rf=0.54(n-hexane/ethyl acetate=1/1)

Example 37 Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid[1-(1-cyano-4-phenyl-propylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-amide

[0370] A. Boc-2-Amino-4-phenyl-butyric acid amide Boc-Hph-CONH2

[0371] 28% aqueous ammonia(34 mmol) is added to the mixed anhydride (prepared from 16.8 mmol of Boc-homophenylalanine and 17.0 mmol of isobutylchloroformate as usual) at −10. The reaction mixture is stirred at rt for 4.5 hours. The mixture is concentrated, washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1N hydrochloric acid and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to give the product in quantitative yield. The crude product is used for the next reaction without further purification.

[0372] Rf=0.60(chloroform/mathanol=10/1)

[0373] Thereafter the title compound

[0374] is prepared analogously as in steps A, B and C of Example 36

[0375] Rf=0.81 (n-hexane/ethyl acetate=1/1)

Example 38 Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid[1-(1-cyano-4-phenyl-propylcarbamoyl)-cyclohexyl]-amide

[0376] A. Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid[(1-methoxycarbonyl)-cyclohexyl]-amide

[0377] 1-Amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester hydrochloride (1 g, 5.2 mmol) and triethylamine (1.44 ml, 10.3 mmol, 2 eq.) are dissolved in dichloromethane (15 ml) and 2-naphthoyl chloride (1 g, 5.2 mmol, 1 eq.) is added at 0°. The reaction mixture is stirred at 0°-25° for 2 hours and 1N hydrochloric acid is added. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic layer is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/ethyl acetate=10/1, 5/1, 3/1 and 1/1) gives the product in 93% yield.

[0378] Rf=0.30(n-hexane/ethyl acetate=3/1)

[0379] B. N-(2-Naphthoyl)-1-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid

[0380] Starting from Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid[(1-methoxycarbonyl)-cyclohexyl]-amide, the product is prepared analogously to N-(naphthalene-2-carbonyl)-isoleucine in quantitative yield. It is used for the next coupling without further purification.

[0381] Rf=0.60(chloroform/methanol=10/1)

[0382] C. Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid[1-(1-cyano-4-phenyl-propylcarbamoyl)-cyclohexyl]-amide

[0383] N-(2-Naphthoyl)-1-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (67 mg, 0.22 mmol), 1-cyano-3-phenyl-propylamine hydrochloride (47 mg, 0.24 mmol, 1.1 eq.) and HOAt (65 mg, 0.48 mmol, 2.2 eq.) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (2 ml) and WSCD (0.044 ml, 0.24 mmol, 1.1 eq.) is added at −10° After stirring at 0°-25° overnight, 5% sodium bicarbonate solution is added and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel(chloroform/acetone=200/1 and 100/1) gives the product in 63% yield.

[0384] Rf=0.73(chloroform/acetone=9/1)

Example 39 1.H.-Indole-5-carboxylic acid [1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-cyclohexyl]-amide

[0385] 1-Amino-cyclohexancarboxylic acid cyanomethyl-amide (136 mg, 0.50 mmol), indol-5-carboxylic acid (80 mg, 0.50 mmol, 1.0 eq.) and HOBt (74 mg, 0.55 mmol, 1.1 eq.) are dissoved in dimethylformamide (5 ml) and WSCD (0.10 ml, 0.55 mmol, 1.1 eq.) is added. After stirring for 20 hour at rt, 4% sodium bicarbonate solution is added and the mixture is extraced with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is washed with sodium bicarbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel (hexanes/ethyl acetate 2/1, then ethyl acetate) gives the product in 20% yield.

[0386] Rf=0.31 (hexanes/ethyl acetate=3/1)

Example 40 Synthesis of N-[1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-cyclohexyl]-4-imidazol-1-ylmethyl-benzamide

[0387] A. Boc-1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid

[0388] The title compound is prepared from 1-cyclohexane carboxylic acid (140 mmol), Boc₂O (154 mmol) and Na₂CO₃ (140 mmol) in 200 ml dioxane and 100 ml water by conventional methods. Mp. 157-161° C.; Rf=0.23 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5)

[0389] B. Boc-1-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (1-(cyanomethyl-carbarnoyl)-amide

[0390] Boc-1-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (40 mmol), HOBt (40 mmol) and WSCD (42 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (75 ml) and stirred for 15 min. at RT. 2-aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride (40 mmol) and triethylamine (40 mmol) are suspended in DMF (25 ml) and added to the reaction mixture which is stirred at 25° C. over night. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water, 10% citric acid, brine, sodium bicarbonate, brine and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The residue is suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). 7.35 g of a white powder with mp.160-162° C., Rf=0.28 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=1:1) is obtained.

[0391] C. 1-Amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-amide hydrochloride

[0392] HCl in Diethylether (3-4N, 50 ml) is added to the solution Boc-1-amino-cyclohexane-carboxylic acid (1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-amide (33 mmol) in THF (50 ml) at RT and stirred overnight. The reaction mixture is cooled with an ice bath to 0-4° C. and the solid filtered off and washed with diethylether. The white crystals are dried (vacuum). Mp. 205-209° C.; Rf=0.45 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1).

[0393] D. N-[1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-cyclohexyl]-4-bromomethyl-benzamide

[0394] 4-Bromomethyl-benzoic acid (2.3 mmol) is suspended in CH₂Cl₂ (7 ml) and cooled to 0-5° C. Chlorenamine (2.3 mmol) is added and the mixture is stirred for 45 min. at 0-5° C. 1-Amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-amide hydrochloride (2.3 mmol) and N-ethyldiisopropyl-amine (4.6 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (7 ml) is added at low temperature. The mixture is stirred for 2 hours at 0-5° C. and at RT over night. The reaction mixture is diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (40 ml), washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of. The crude product is purified by chromatography on silica using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=97:3. The fractions containing the pure product were collected and evaporated. The residue was suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of. A white powder with mp.194-196° C., Rf=0.38 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5) is obtained.

[0395] E. N-[1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-cyclohexyl]-4-imidazol-1-ylmethyl-benzamide

[0396] N-[1-(cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-cyclohexyl]-4-bromomethyl-benzamide (0.34 mmol) is dissolved in THF (2 ml) and sodium-imidazol (0.41 mmol) is added and the reaction mixture stirred at RT over night. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of. The crude product is purified by chromatography on silica using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH-9:1. The fractions containing the pure product were collected and evaporated. The residue was suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of. A white powder with mp. 194-196° C., Rf=0.28 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1) is obtained.

[0397] By repeating the procedure described above in Examples 40, using appropriate starting materials and reaction conditions the following compounds of formula XII are obtained as identified below in Table 2. TABLE 2

Example Rf (solvent) No. Rx Rz mp. (° C.) MS(M + 1) 41

0.26 (hexanes/EtOAc = 3/1) 42

0.50 (hexanes/EtOAc = 1/1) 43

H 126-128 0.19 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 44

H 162-165 0.27 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 45

H 147-149 0.24 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 46

0.26 (hexanes/EtOAc = 3/1) 47 ″

0.50 (hexanes/EtOAc = 1/1) 48

H 0.31 (hexanes/EtOAc = 3/1) 49

0.31 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 2/1) 50

″ 0.42 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 2/1) 51

″ 0.42 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 2/1) 52

″ 0.42 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 2/1) 53

H 0.69 (EtOAc) 54

″ 0.69 (EtOAc) 55

0.58 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 56

H 0.47 (EtOAc) 57

H 0.72 (EtOAc) 58

″ 0.73 (EtOAc) 59

″ 0.66 (EtOAc) 60

″ 0.66 (EtOAc) 61

″ 0.67 (EtOAc) 62

0.24 (toluene/acetone 7/3) 436 63

1199-201  446 64

″ 184-185 459 65

″ 0.14 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH 10/0.2) 445 66 ″

0.54 (petroleum ether/ EtOAC 1/1) 67

″ 154-155 522

Example 68 Synthesis of N-{1-[(Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbamoyl]-3-methyl-butyl}-4-imidazol-1-ylmethyl-benzamide

[0398] A. {1-[(Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbamoyl]-3-methyl-butyl}-carbamic acid .tert.-butyl ester

[0399] Boc-Leu-OH (62 mmol), HOBt (62 mmol) and WSCD (62 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (150 ml) and stirred for 15 min. at RT. 2-Amino-2-methyl-propionamide hydrochloride (62 mmol) and triethylamine (62 mmol) are suspended in DMF (25 ml) and added to the reaction mixture which is stirred at 25° C. over night. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water, 10% citric acid, brine, sodium bicarbonate, brine and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The residue is suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). 14.78 g of a white powder with mp.182-184° C., Rf=0.39 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1) is obtained.

[0400] B. {1-[(Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbamoyl]-3-methyl-butyl}-carbamic acid .tert.-butyl ester

[0401] {1-[(Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbamoyl]-3-methyl-butyl}-carbamic acid .tert.-butyl ester (47 mmol) is dissolved in THF (150 ml) and cooled to −10° C. Trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (56 mmol) and triethyl amine (94 mmol) are added at −10° C. and the stirred mixture is slowly warmed up to 0° C. over 2 hours. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The residue is suspended in diethylether/pentane and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). 9.93 g of a white powder with mp.166-168° C., Rf=0.55 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=1:1) is obtained.

[0402] C. 2-Amino-4-methyl-pentanoic acid (cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-amide

[0403] {1-[(Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbarnoyl]-3-methyl-butyl}-carbamic acid .tert.-butyl ester (19 mmol) is dissolved in ethyl acetate containing HCl (3-4N, water free) and the mixture is stirred at RT overnight. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude product is purified by chromatography on silica using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1. The fractions containing the pure product were collected and evaporated. 2.3 g of a yellowish oil, Rf=0.36 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1) is obtained.

[0404] D. N-{1-[(Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbamoyl]-3-methyl-butyl}-4-bromomethyl-benzamide

[0405] 4-Bromomethylbenzoic acid (4.1 mmol), HOBt (4.1 mmol) and WSCD.HCl (4.1 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (7 ml) and stirred for 10 min. 2-Amino-4-methyl-pentanoic acid (cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-amide (4.1 mmol) is added in DMF (3 ml) and the reaction mixture is stirred at RT overnight. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is with water, 10% citric acid, brine, sodium bicarbonate, brine and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). A white powder with mp.185-187° C., Rf=0.43 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=1:1) is obtained.

[0406] E. N-{1-[(Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbamoyl]-3-methyl-butyl}-4-imidazol-1-ylmethyl-benzamide

[0407] N-{1-[(Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-carbamoyl]-3-methyl-butyl}-4-bromomethyl-benzamide (0.18 mmol) is dissolved in THF (1 ml) and sodium-imidazol (0.41 mmol) is added and the reaction mixture stirred at RT over night. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. An oil with Rf=0.44 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1) is obtained.

[0408] By repeating the procedure described above in Examples 68, using appropriate starting materials and conditions the following compounds of formula XIII are obtained as identified below in Table 3. TABLE 3

Example yield (%) No. Rx (step B) mp. (° C.) Rf(solvent) 69

58 135-137 0.29 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 70

51 160-162 0.16 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 71

44 186-188 0.23 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1)

Example 72 N-[1-(Cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethylsulfanyl)-benzamide

[0409] A. 4-(2-Chloroethylsulfanyl)-benzoic acid

[0410] 4-Mercaptobenzoic acid (65 mmol) and 1-Bromo-2-chloro-ethane (71 mmol) are dissolved in acetone (120 ml) and powdered potassium carbonate (71 mmol) is added. The mixture is warmed up to 40° C. and stirred for 7 hours. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water and dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). 7.8 g of a white powder with mp.142-144° C., Rf=0.37 (methylenchlorid/methanol=9/1) is obtained.

[0411] B. 4-(2-Chloroethylsulfanyl)-benzoyl-Leu-Gly(CN)

[0412] 4-(2-Chloroethylsulfanyl)-benzoic acid (18.5 mmol), HOBt (18.5 mmol) and WSCD.HCl (19.4 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (50 ml) and stirred for 15 min. H-Leu-Gly((CN) (18.5 mmol) is added and the reaction mixture is stirred at RT overnight. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water, 10% citric acid, brine, sodium bicarbonate, brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude product is purified by chromatography on silica using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5. The fractions containing the pure product were collected and evaporated. The product is suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). 3.15 g of a yellowish powder with mp. 108-110° C., Rf=0.33 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=1:1) is obtained.

[0413] C. N-[1-(Cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethylsulfanyl)-benzamide

[0414] 4-(2-Chloroethylsulfanyl)-benzoyl-Leu-Gly(CN) (1.36 mmol) is dissolved DMF (2 ml) and pyrrolidine (3 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 8 hours at RT, then a catalytic amount of potassium iodide is added and again stirred at 50° C. overnight. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude material is applied to a column of silica gel. Elution with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=93:7 gives the product in 24% yield (Rf=0.12 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5).

Example 73 Synthesis of N-[1-(Cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethylsulfonyl)-benzamide

[0415] A. 4-(2-Chloroethylsulfonyl)-benzoic acid

[0416] 4-(2-Chloroethylsulfanyl)-benzoic acid (18.4 mmol) is suspended in methylene chloride (60 ml) and cooled to −10° C. m-Chloroperbenzoic acid (38.6 mmol) are added dropwise in methylene chloride (60 ml) and the mixture is stirred for e hours at −10° C. The mixture is diluted methylene chloride (100 ml) and a 5% solution of sodium thiosulfate in water is added and the mixture vigorously stirred. The mixture is extracted, washed with water and and dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is recrystallized from ethylacetate and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). 2.19 g of a pale powder with mp.142-144° C., Rf=0.37 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1) is obtained.

[0417] B. 4-(2-Chloroethylsulfonyl)-benzoyl-Leu-Gly(CN)

[0418] 4-(2-Chloroethylsulfonyl)-benzoic acid (8.8 mmol), HOBt (8.8 mmol) and WSCD.HCl (8.8 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (25 ml) and stirred for 15 min. H-Leu-Gly((CN) (18.5 mmol) is added and the reaction mixture is stirred at RT overnight. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water, 10% citric acid, brine, sodium bicarbonate, brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude product is purified by chromatography on silica using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5. The fractions containing the pure product were collected and evaporated. The product is suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). 0.3 g of a white powder, Rf=0.25 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5) is obtained.

[0419] C. N-[1-(Cyanomethyl-carbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethylsulfonyl)-benzamide

[0420] 4-(2-Chloroethylsulfonyl)-benzoyl-Leu-Gly(CN) (0.4 mmol) is in pyrrolidine (1 ml. The reaction mixture is stirred for 1.5 hours at RT. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude material is applied to a column of silica gel. Elution with CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5 gives the product in 43% yield (Rf=0.30 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5).

Example 74 Synthesis of N-[1-(1-Cyano-3-methyl-butylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-4-imidazol-1-ylmethyl-benzamide

[0421] A. Boc-Leu-Leu-NH2

[0422] Boc-Leu-Leu-OH (Bachem, 43.6 mmol) is dissolved in THF (250 ml) and N-methylmorpholine (43.6 mmol) is added. The mixture is cooled to −20° C. and isobutyl chloroformate (43.6 mmol) is added dropwise. The mixture is stirred for 10 min. and then a 25% aqueous solution of ammonia (52.3 mmol) is added at −20° C. The mixture is stirred for 3 hours at −20° C. to −10° C. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). 14.2 g of a white powder with mp. 155-156° C., Rf=0.5 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1) is obtained.

[0423] B. Boc-Leu-Leu(CN)

[0424] Boc-Leu-Leu-NH2 (41 mmol) is suspended in THF (200 ml) and triethylamine (83 mmol) and trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (41 mmol) is added at −5° C. The mixture is stirred for 2 hours at −5° C. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. A yellowish oil with Rf=0.59 (n-hexane:ethyl acetate=2:1) is obtained and deprotected without further purification (step C.).

[0425] C. H-Leu-Leu(CN)

[0426] Boc-Leu-Leu(CN) (41 mmol) is dissolved in THF (50 ml) and HCl in diethylether (50 ml, 3-4N, water-free) is added at RT and the mixture stirred overnight. After evaporation of the solvent the residue is dissolved in methanol and ammonia in methanol (40 ml, 3-4N, water-free) is added and the solid material filtered of. The filtrate is evaporated and the crude product is purified by chromatography on silica using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5. The fractions containing the pure product were collected and evaporated. 5.07 g of a yellowish oil with Rf=0.43 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1) is obtained.

[0427] D. 4-Bromomethylbenzoyl-Leu-Leu(CN)

[0428] 4-Bromomethylbenzoic acid (6.67 mmol), HOBt (6.67 mmol) and WSCD.HCl (7.0 mmol) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (15 ml) and stirred for 15 min. H-Leu-Leu(CN) (6.67 mmol) is added and the reaction mixture is stirred for 2.5 hours at RT. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water, 10% citric acid, brine, sodium bicarbonate, brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude product is purified by chromatography on silica using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=97:3. The fractions containing the pure product were collected and evaporated. 1.74 g of a yellowish oil with Rf=0.59 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5) is obtained.

[0429] E. N-[1-(1-Cyano-3-methyl-butylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-4-imidazol-1-ylmethyl-benzamide

[0430] 4-Bromomethylbenzoyl-Leu-Leu(CN) (1.23 mmol) is dissolved in THF (5 ml) and sodium-imidazol (1.48 mmol) is added and the reaction mixture stirred at RT over night. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is purified by chromatography on silica using CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=95:5. The fractions containing the pure product were collected and evaporated. The product is suspended in diethylether and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum). A white powder with mp.100-103° C., Rf=0.36 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH=9:1) is obtained.

[0431] By repeating the procedure described above in Example 74, using appropriate starting materials and conditions the following compounds of formula XIV are obtained as identified below in Table 4. TABLE 4

Example yield (%) mp. No. Rx (step B) (° C.) Rf (solvent) 75

45 — 0.17 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 95:5) 76

51 — 0.23 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1) 77

64 — 0.31 (CH₂Cl₂/MeOH = 9:1)

Example 78 [1-(2-Benzyloxy-1-cyano-ethylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-carbamic acid benzyl ester

[0432] A. 3-Benzyloxy-2-(2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-4-methyl-pentanoylamino)-propionic acid

[0433] To a suspension of 0.975 g H-Ser(OBzl)-OH in 5 ml of methylene chloride is added 1.52 ml of trimethylchlorosilane. After ten minutes at room temperature 0.98 ml of N,N-diisopropylethyl amine and 1.81 g of benzyloxy leucine N-hydroxysuccinimidester is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 2 hours at room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate. Ethyl acetate is washed once with saturated NH₄Cl-solution and once with H₂O, then dried over sodium sulfate, the solvent is removed and the residue is crystallized from diethylether.

[0434]¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, ppm): 7.30 (m, 10H), 6.83 (d,1H), 5.32 (d,1H), 5.10 (s, 2H), 4.71 (m,1H), 4.50 (s,2H), 4.28 (m, 1H), 3.92 (m,1H), 3.67 (m,1H), 1.46-1.79 (m, 3H), 0.92 (d, 6H).

[0435] B. [1-(2-Benzyloxy-1-carbamoyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-carbamic acid benzyl ester

[0436] To a solution of 0.980 g of 3-benzyloxy-2-(2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-4-methyl-pentanoylamino)-propionic acid and 0.25 ml of N-methylmorpholine in 12 ml of tetrahydrofuran 0.3 ml of isobutylchloroformate is added dropwise at −15° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at −15° C. for 10 minutes, then 4 ml of aqueous NH₃ (25%) is added dropwise over a time period of 5 minutes. The reaction mixture is stirred for additional 15 minutes and diluted with ethyl acetate. Ethyl acetate is washed once with saturated NH₄Cl-solution and once with H₂O, then dried sodium sulfate, the solvent is removed und the residue is triturated with diethylether.

[0437]¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, ppm): 7.38 (m, 10H), 6.87 (d, 1H), 6.60 (m (br.), 1H), 5.41 (m (br.), 1H), 5.12 (d, 1H), 5.08 (s, 2H), 4.50 (d, 2H), 4.20-3.92 (m, 2H), 3.50 (m, 1H), 1.70-1.41 (m, 3H), 0.90 (d, 6H).

[0438] C. [1-(2-Benzyloxy-1-cyano-ethylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-carbamic acid benzyl ester

[0439] 0.3 ml of trifluoroacetic acid anhydride is added dropwise to a solution of 0.9 g of [1-(2-benzyloxy-1-carbamoyl-ethylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-butyl]-carbamic acid benzyl ester and 0.6 ml of triethylamine in 15 ml of tetrahydrofuran at −5° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at −5° C. for 3 hours and then for 12 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture is then poured into H₂O and the aqueous layer is extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers are washed once with H₂O and once with brine, then dried over sodium sulfate, the solvent is removed and the residue is crystallized from diethylether/hexane. Mp.: 126-127° C.

[0440] The following compounds formula XV, as identified in Table 5 below, are prepared analogously to the compound of Example 78. TABLE 5

Example mp. (° C.) No. Rz MS (M + 1) 79

100-101° 80

157-158° 81

157-158° 82

159-161° 83

106-107° 84

126-127°424 85

144-146 438

Example 86 2-[2-(4-Chloro-phenylamino)-acetylamino]-4-methyl-pentanoic acid cyanomethyl-amide

[0441] (4-Chloro-phenylamino)-acetic acid (0.5 g) and H-Leu-Gly((CN).HCl (0.55 g) are dissolved in dimethylformamide (4 ml). HOBt (0.44 g), WSCD.HCl (0.54 g), triethylamine (0.37 ml) is added and the reaction mixture is stirred for 18 hours. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with 10% citric acid, brine, sodium bicarbonate, brine and dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The crude product is slurried in diethylether and the solid filtered of and dried (vacuum) yielding a white powder with mp. 131-134° C.

[0442] By repeating the procedure described above in Example 86, using appropriate starting materilas and conditions the following compounds of formula XVI are obtained as identified below in Table 6. TABLE 6

Example No. R* mp. (° C.) Rf (solvent) 87

foam 0.32 (CH2Cl2/MeOH = 95:5) 88

110-115 89

foam 0.30 (CH2Cl2/MeOH = 95:5) 90

130-133 91

amorph 0.42 (CH2Cl2/MeOH = 95:5) 92

131-133 93

108-110 94

Resin 0.43 (CH2Cl2/MeOH = 95:5) 95

77-79 96

Oil 97

Resin 0.53 (CH2Cl2/MeOH = 95:5) 98

foam 0.47 (CH2Cl2/MeOH = 95:5) 99

143-146 100

119-121 101

Resin 0.26 (CH2Cl2/MeOH = 95:5) 102

146-149

[0443] By repeating the procedures described in the above Examples using appropriate starting materials and reaction conditions the following compounds of formula XVII are obtained as identified below in Table 7. TABLE 7

Example No. Rx Ry Rz mp. (° C.) Rf (solvent)/MS (M + 1) 103

H 203.5-207   0.44 (hexanes/EtOAC = 1/1) 104 ″

0.44 (hexanes/EtOAC = 2/1) 105

″

0.52 (n-hexane/EtOAC = 1/1) 106

″ ″ 0.45 (n-hexane/EtOAC = 1/1) 107

″

0.30 (n-hexane/EtOAC = 3/1) 108

″ ″ 0.40 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 2/1) 109 ″ ″

0.24 (n-hexane/EtOAC = 4/3) 110

″

0.36 (n-hexane/EtOAC = 2/1) 111

″ ″ 0-17 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 112

″ ″ 0.27 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 113

″ H 0.45 (EtOAc) 114

″ ″ 0.58 (EtOAc) 115

″ ″ 0.28 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 116

″

0.46 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 117

″ ″ 0.41 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 2/1) 118

″ H 0.79 (EtOAc) 119

″ ″ 0.74 (EtOAc) 120

″

0.52 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 121

″ ″ 0.60 (n-hexane/EtOAC = 1/1) 122

″ H 0.60 (EtOAc) 123

″

0.54 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 124 ″ ″ H 0.26 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 125

″

0.41 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 126

″ ″ 0.43 (n-hexane/EtOAc = 1/1) 127 ″ ″

151-152 433 128

″ ″ 137-138 447 129

″ ″ 0.65 (toluene/acetone 7/3) 466 130

″ ″ 163-165 470 131

″

214-215 447 132

″ ″ 0.66 (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 10/0.5) 487 133

″ ″ 176-178 466 134

″ ″ 106-110 522 135

″ ″ 0.46 (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 10/0.5) 477 136

″ ″ 0.51 (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 10/0.5) 510 137

″ ″ 0.26 (CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH 10/0.5) 491 138

″

121-126 560 139

″ ″ 141-143 548 140

″ ″ 233-234 529 141

″ ″ 199-202 471 142

″

122-126 522 143

″ ″ 0.40 (CH₂Cl₂CH₃OH 10/0.5) 506 144

″

131-133 515 145

″ ″ 114-115 560 146

″ ″ 180-182 485 147 ″ ″

129-133 447 148

″ ″ 0.50 (toluene/EtOH 9/1) 477 149

″

145-146 454 150 ″ ″

152-153 408 151

″

210-211 499 152

″

148-149 506 153

″ ″ 236-237 417

[0444] Compounds of Examples 1 to 153 are typically selective inhibitors of cathepsin K and generally have IC₅₀s for inhibition of human cathepsin K of from about 100 to about 1 nM or less, e.g. about 0.5 nM.

[0445] Representative compounds e.g. as described in the the above Examples typically have IC₅₀s for inhibition of Cathepsin K in the range from less than 1 up to about 100 nm, and IC₅₀s for inhibition of Cathepsin K which are at least 10 to about 1000 times less than their IC₅₀s for inhibition of Cathepsin L and Cathepsin S, e.g. when tested in the assays described above.

[0446] The cathepsin K selective compounds of the invention are particularly indicated for preventing or treating osteoporosis of various genesis (e.g. juvenile, menopausal, post-menopausal, post-traumatic, caused by old age or by cortico-steroid therapy or inactivity).

[0447] By repeating the procedures described in the above Examples using appropriate starting materials and reaction conditions the following compounds of formula XVII are obtained as identified below in Tables 8, 9 and 10 TABLE 8

MS (M + 1) Example R_(x) R_(y) R_(z) mp.(° C.) Rf (solvent) 154

H 169-170 574 (M − 1) 155

H 0.80(n-hexane/ EtOAC = 1/1) 156

H 0.63(n-hexane/ EtOAC = 1/2) 157

H 0.53(n-hexane/ EtOAC = 1/1) 158

H 0.38(n-hexane/ EtOAC = 1/1) 159

H 422.2 160

H 365.1 161

H 353 162

H 315.1 163

H 314.9 164

H 304.1 165

H 259.1 166

H 288.1 167

H 322 168

H 318.1 169

H 378.5 170

H 313.9 171

H 327.9 172

H 349.9 173

H 383.7 174

H 349.8 175

H 343.9 176

H 327.9 177

H 341.9 178

H 315.2 179

H 319.9 180

H 332 181

H 348.1 182

H 381.3 183

H 344.0 184

H 347.9 185

H 344.0 186

H 320 187

H 370 188

H 328 189

H 313.8 190

H 332 191

H 322.9 192

H 381.8 193

H 332 194

H 358.8 195

H 357.9 196

H 338.8 197

H 275.9 198

H 397.9 199

H 352.9 200

H 316.9 201

H 392 202

H 360.8 203

H 330 204

365 205

358 206

396 207

370 208

374 209

370 210

354 211

345.1 212

325 213

318 214

368 215

307.9

is cyclopropyl, i.e. Rz is ethylene and makes a cyclopropyl ring with the carbon atom to which it is attached.

[0448] The compounds of Table 8 are typically selective inhibitors for cathepsin S, and normally have IC₅₀s for cathepsin S inhibition in the range from abot 100 to about 10 nM. TABLE 9 Example R_(x) R_(y) R_(z) mp. (° C.) MS (M + 1) 216

H 184-185 432 217

H 181-182 412 218

H 188-189 448 219

H 168-169 364 220

Δ 208-209 438 221

H 146-148 413 222

H 194-195 483 223

H 186-187 418 224

H 176-177 418 225

H 174-175 391 226

H 390 227

H 180-181 440 228

H 352 229

H 139-140 562 230

180-181 440 231

151-153 485 232

H 112-114 407 233

H 424.3 234

H 399.4 235

H 382 236

H 468.0 237

H 394.2 238

H 444.3 239

H 444.2 240

H 411.9 241

H 390.1 242

H 445.9 243

H 406.0 244

H 461.9 245

H 443.7 246

H 411.7 247

H 435.8 248

H 511.9 249

H 445.5 250

H 429.4 251

H 376 252

H 356 253

H 372 254

H 427.9 255

H 410 256

H 477.9 257

H 402 258

H 478 259

H 409.9 260

H 134-135 350 (M − 1) 261

H 122-124 388 (M − 1) 262

H 360.0 263

H 385.9 264

H 461.9 265

H 393.8 266

H 411.7 267

H 408.0 268

H 480.0 269

H 411.8 270

H 385.9 271

H 369.9 272

H 402 273

Δ 408 274

H 394 275

H 421 276

H 409 277

H 437 278

H 307.9 279

H 341.7 280

H 333.9 281

H 302.1 282

H 150-151 382 283

H 393 284

Δ 433 285

H 458.3 286

H 450.2 287

—CH₃ 424.1 288

—CH₃ 457.3 289

—CH₃ 417.9 290

—CH₃ 449.8 291

—CH₃ 457.8 292

—CH₃ 449.9 293

—CH₃ 525.9 294

—CH₃ 457.7 295

—CH₃ 452.1 296

Δ 428.2

[0449] The compounds of Table 9 are typically selective inhibitors for cathepsin L, having IC₅₀s for cathepsin S inhibition which are preferably in the range from about 100 to about 1 nM. TABLE 10 Example R_(x) R_(y) R_(z) mp. (° C.) MS (M+1) 297

H 181-183 398 298

H 169-170 912 299

Δ 333.9 300

H 410.1 301

H 434.7

[0450] The compounds of Table 10 are inhibitors of cathepsin L and cathepsin S, having IC₅₀s for inhibition of cathepsin L in the range from about 100 to about 50 nM and IC₅₀s for inhibition of cathepsin S in the range from about 50 to about 10 nM.

Example 302 Synthesis of N-[2-[(3-(methoxy-carbonyl)-phenyl)-methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenyl-alaninamide

[0451] A. O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine

[0452] To a solution of N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine (16.1 g, 78.46 mmol) in DMF (90 mL) at −15° C. is added sodium hydride (6.9 g, 60% in mineral oil, 172.6 mmol) portionwise with vigorous stirring, over 0.5 hour. After all sodium hydride is added, the mixture is stirred for an additional 10 minutes at 0° C., and then at room temperature for 30 minutes. The solution is cooled back to 0° C., and a solution of methyl 3-bromomethylbenzoate (19.77 g, 86.30 mmol) in DMF (90 mL) is added dropwise over 15 minutes. The mixture is then warmed to room temperature for 16 hours. DMF is then evaporated (high vacuum, <40° C.), and the residue is diluted with cold water (200 mL) and acidified to pH 4-5 with 1 N HCl. The resulting mixture is extracted with EtOAc (4×150 mL). The combined extracts are washed with 0.1 N HCl (2×300 mL) and brine (2×300 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated to give a yellowish syrup. Chromatography (silica, 5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) yields O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine as a yellowish oil.

[0453] B. O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serinamide

[0454] A solution of 0-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine (3.0 g, 8.50 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (2.8 mL, 2.58 g, 25.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) is cooled to −10° C., and isobutyl chloroformate (1.1 mL, 1.16 g, 8.5 mmol) is added dropwise over 10 minutes. After stirring for 15 minutes, ammonia gas is bubbled into the solution at a moderately vigorous rate for 15 minutes. The solution is then warmed to room temperature over 30 minutes. CH₂Cl₂ is evaporated, and the residue is dissolved in EtOAc (50 mL). This solution is then extracted with 1 N HCl (2×50 mL), saturated NaHCO₃ (50 mL), water (50 mL) and brine (50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. Chromatography (silica, 75% EtOAc/hexane) yields O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serinamide as a thick oil.

[0455] C. O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide•HCl

[0456] To a solution of O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serinamide (2.4 g, 6.82 mmol) in EtOAc (50 mL) at 0° C. is bubbled HCl gas at a moderately vigorous rate for 5 minutes, during which time a lot of white precipitate is observed. The mixture is warmed to room temperature over 30 minutes, after which time EtOAc is removed, yielding O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide•HCl as a white solid.

[0457] D. 3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine

[0458] To a solution of 3-methyl-L-phenylalanine (1.8 g, 10.06 mmol) and Na₂CO₃(3.2 g, 3.0.18 mmol) in water (150 mL) is added a solution of diphenylacetyl chloride (2.32 g, 10.06 mmol) in THF (150 mL), and the resulting solution is stirred vigorously at room temperature overnight. The THF is then evaporated and the aqueous layer is diluted with 6% aqueous Na₂CO₃ (100 mL), and washed with Et₂O (3×150 mL). The aqueous layer is then acidified to pH 1 with conc. HCl, and the resulting slurry is extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The organic phase is then washed with water (2×100 mL) and brine (1×100 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to yield 3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine, as a white solid.

[0459] E. N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide

[0460] To a solution of 3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine (1.0 g, 2.68 mmol) and O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide HCl (0.774 g, 2.68 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.452 g, 2.95 mmol, and N-methylmorpholine (1.18 mL, 1.085 g, 10.72 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) is added 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide HCl (0.771 g, 4.02 mmol) in one portion and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solution is then washed with 1 N HCl (100 mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residual solid is triturated with hot methanol to yield N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-O-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide as a white solid.

[0461] F. N-[2-[(3-(methoxy-carbonyl)-phenyl)-methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenyl-alaninamide

[0462] Oxalyl chloride (0.057 mL, 0.084 g, 0.66 mmol) is added dropwise to DMF (10 mL), and the resulting solution is cooled to 0° C. After the solution becomes clear, pyridine (0.11 mL, 0.10 g, 1.31 mmol) is added, followed by N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-O-[[3-(methoxy-carbonyl)-phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide (0.20 g, 0.329 mmol), in one portion. The yellow reaction solution is stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 hours, after which time the it is diluted with EtOAc (50 mL), and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), saturated LiCl (1×50 ML), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 80% EtOAc/hexane) to yield N-[2-[(3-(methoxy-carbonyl)-phenyl)-methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenyl-alaninamide as a white solid having the following structure

Example 303 Synthesis of N-[2-1(3-carboxyphenyl)methoxyl-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(diphenyacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0463] A solution of N-[2-[(3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide (0.34 g, 0.58 mmol) in pinacolone (20 mL) is degassed with bubbling nitrogen for 10 minutes. Lithium iodide (0.78 g, 5.80 mmol) is then added, and the solution is refluxed in the dark for 24 hours, after which time it is cooled to room temperature, diluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL), and washed with 5% aq. sodium thiosulfate (2×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL). The organic layer is then dried over MgSO₄, evaporated, and the residue is chromatographed (silica, 3% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂/0.05% acetic acid) to yield a clear glass, which is crystallized with an EtOAc/hexane (1:50) mixture to yield N-[2-[(3-carboxyphenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(diphenyacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide as a white solid, m.p. 160-162° C.

Example 304 N-[2-[(3-(allyloxcarbonyl)-phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-N-morpholinocarbonyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0464] A. 3-methyl-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanine

[0465] To a suspension of 3-methyl-L-phenylalanine (2.7 g, 15 mmol) in 85 mL 10% triehyl-amine/methanol is added di-t-butyldicarbonate (6.5 g, 30 mmol), and the solution is refluxed for 2.5 hours. After cooling, the methanol and triethylamine are evaporated and the residue is diluted with Et₂O (250 mL) and extracted with saturated Na₂CO₃ (2×75 mL). The combined aqueous layers are again washed with Et₂O (250 mL), and then acidified with conc. HCl to pH=2-3. The resulting mixture is then extracted with EtOAc (3×75 mL) and washed with water and brine, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated to yield 3-methyl-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanine as a clear oil.

[0466] B. Allyl 3-(chloromethyl)-benzoate

[0467] A solution of 3-(chloromethyl)-benzoic acid (50.0 g, 0.293 mol), potassium carbonate (48.61 g, 0.352 mol) and allyl bromide (50.7 mL, 0.586 mol) in acetone (500 mL) is refluxed for 2 hours, after which time the solution was cooled to room temp. and filtered through celite. The filtrate is evaporated and the residue chromatographed (silica, 5% EtOAc/hexane) to yield allyl 3-(chloromethyl)-benzoate as a clear oil.

[0468] C. Allyl 3-(iodomethyl)-benzoate

[0469] A solution of allyl 3-(chloromethyl)-benzoate (54.5 g, 0.259 mmol) and sodium iodide (46.56 g, 0.311 mol) in acetone (500 mL) is stirred at room temp. for 6.5 hours, after which time the mixture is filtered. The filitrate is evaporated and the residue is dissolved in diethyl ether (500 mL), then washed with water (1×200 mL), 5% sodium sulfite solution (1×200 mL) and brine (1×200 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated to yield allyl 3-(iodomethyl)-benzoate as a white solid, which was is directly.

[0470] D. O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine

[0471] Sodium hydride (19.4 g, 60% in mineral oil, 484.4 mmol) is washed with dry hexanes (2×30 mL) to remove the mineral oil and then suspended in anhydrous DMF (330 mL). To this suspension a solution of N-butoxycarbonyl-L-serine (45.2 g, 220.2 mmol) in DMF (110 mL) at 0° C. is added dropwise with vigorous stirring. The mixture is stirred for an additional 5 minutes at 0° C., and then at room temperature for 30 minutes. The solution is cooled back to 0° C., and a solution of allyl 3-iodomethylbenzoate (66.6 g, 220.2 mmol) in DMF (110 mL) is added dropwise over 15 minutes. The mixture is then warmed to room temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture is poured into ice water (2.2 L) and acidified to pH 2 with 1 N HCl (270 mL). The mixture is extracted with ether (1×600 mL, then 3×300 mL) and the combined ether extracts are then washed with water (5×200 ml) and then dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo to yield O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine as a yellowish oil, which is used as is in the subsequent step.

[0472] E. O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serinamide

[0473] A solution of O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine (79.2 g, 209 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (68.9 mL, 63.4 g, 627 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (800 mL) is cooled to −10° C., and isobutyl chloroformate (32.5 mL, 34.2 g, 251 mmol) is added dropwise over 10 minutes. After stirring for 15 minutes, ammonia gas is bubbled into the solution at a moderately vigorous rate for 15 minutes, at −10° C. The solution is then warmed to room temperature and stirred, for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture is cooled to 0° C. and 1 N HCl (800 mL) is added. The organic phase is washed with 1 N HCl (2×700 mL), then washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (700 mL), then dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo to yield O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serinamide as a thick oil, which is used as is in the subsequent step.

[0474] F. O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]-methyl]-L-serinamide•HCl

[0475] To a solution of O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)pbenyl]methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serinamide (69 g, 182.5 mmol) in EtOAc (1000 mL) at 0° C. is slowly bubbled HCl gas for 1 hour, during which time a white precipitate is observed. The mixture is warmed to room temperature over 30 minutes, after which time EtOAc is removed by evaporation. The resulting residue is triturated with ether (500 mL) with vigorous stirring for 30 minutes. The precipitate is collected by vacuum filtration, washed with ether (2×100 mL) and then air dried to yield O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]-methyl]-L-serinamide•HCl as a free-flowing white solid.

[0476] G. N-[3-methyl-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide

[0477] To a solution of O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide•HCl (2.92 g, 10.46 mmol), 3-methyl-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanine (3.29 g, 10.46 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (1.92 g, 12.55 mmol), and N-methylmorpholine (4.6 mL, 4.23 g, 41.84 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (120 mL) is added 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide•HCl (3.01 g, 15.69 mmol) in one portion. The solution is stirred for 16 hours, then washed with 1 N HCl (100 mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residual solid is triturated with hot methanol to yield N-[3-methyl-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-O-[[3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide as a white solid.

[0478] H. N-[2-[(3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0479] Oxalyl chloride (1.79 mL, 2.6 g, 20.48 mmol) is added dropwise to DMF (30 mL), and the resulting solution is cooled to 0° C. After the solution becomes clear, pyridine (3.31 mL, 3.24 g, 40.96 mmol) is added, followed by N-[3-methyl-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-O-[[3-(allyloxy-carbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-L-serinamide (5.52 g, 10.24 mmol), in one portion. The yellow reaction solution is stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 hours, after which time it is diluted with EtOAc (50 mL), and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), saturated LiCl (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 40% EtOAc/hexane) to yield N-[2-[(3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalaninamide as a white solid.

[0480] I. N-[2-[(3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-L-phenylalaninamide

[0481] A solution of N-[2-[(3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-phenylalaninamide (3.18 g, 6.10 mmol) in 96% formic acid (40 mL) is stirred at room temperature for 5.5 hours. Formic acid is evaporated (high vacuum, 25° C.), and the residue is taken up in water (50 mL) and basified with saturated NaHCO₃ (100 mL). The resulting mixture is extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL), and then washed with water (2×100 mL) and brine (1×100 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated to yield N-[2-[(3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-L-phenylalaninamide as a clear thick oil.

[0482] J. N-[2-[(3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(N-morpholinocarbonyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0483] To a solution of N-[2-[(3-(allyloxycarbonyl)phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-phenylalaninamide•HCl (0.29 g, 0.69 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (0.23 mL, 0.21 g, 2.07 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) is added mopholinecarbonyl chloride (0.21 g, 0.23 mL, 2.065 mmol) in one portion, and the solution is stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solution is then diluted with additional CH₂Cl₂ (40 mL), and washed with 1 N HCl (50 mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 80% EtOAc/hexane) to yield N-[2-[(3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(N-morpholinocarbonyl)-L-phenylalaninamide as a clear oil.

[0484] The corresponding 3-carboxyphenylmethoxy compound is prepared as follows:

[0485] To a solution of N-[2-[(3-(allyloxycarbonyl)-phenyl)methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(N-morpholinocarbonyl)-L-phenylalaninamide (see example 3, 0.2 g, 0.375 mmol) in anhydrous THF (20 mL) is added morpholine (0.327 mL, 0.326 g, 3.75 mmol), followed by Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.043 g, 0.0375 mmol). The solution is stirred at room temperature for 3 hours, after which time the THF is evaporated. The residue is taken up in EtOAc (100 mL) and washed with 1 N HCl (100 mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 3% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂/0.05% acetic acid) to yield a clear glass, which is crystallized with an EtOAc/hexane (1:50) mixture to yield N-[2-[(3-carboxyphenyl)-methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(N-morpholinocarbonyl)-L-phenylalaninamide as a white solid, m.p. 100° C. (dec.).

Example 305 Synthesis of N-[3-(3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy)-1-cyanopropyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0486] A. Methyl 3-(2-bromoethoxy)-benzoate

[0487] A solution of methyl 3-hydroxybenzoate (5.0 g, 32.86 mmol), 1,2-dibromoethane (11.3 mL, 131.44 mmol), and potassium carbonate (5.45 g, 39.43 mmol) in DMF (100 mL) is refluxed 16 hours, after which time the solution is cooled, concentrated in vacuo, and chromatographed to yield methyl 3-(2-bromoethoxy)-benzoate, as a yellow oil.

[0488] B. Methyl 3-(2-iodoethoxy)-benzoate

[0489] A solution of methyl 3-(2-bromoethoxy)-benzoate (2.4 g, 9.26 mmol) and sodium iodide (2.78 g, 18.52 mmol) in acetone (50 mL) is refluxed for 2 hours. The resulting mixture is then filtered and concentrated. The residue is diluted with EtOAc (100 mL), washed with 5% Na₂SO₃(50 mL), water (2×50 mL) and brine (50 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to yield methyl 3-(2-iodoethoxy)-benzoate, as a yellow oil, which is used directly.

[0490] C. 2-(diphenylmethyleneamino)-4-[(3-methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy]-butyronitrile

[0491] To a solution of sodium hexamethyldisilazide (8.82 mL of a 1.0 M solution, 8.82 mmol) in 90 mL THF at −78° C. is added a solution of N-(diphenylmethylene)aminoacetonitrile (1.90 g, 8.65 mmol) in THF (30 mL), via syringe. After stirring 30 minutes at −78° C., a solution of methyl 3-(2-iodoethoxy)-benzoate (2.7 g, 8.82 mmol) in THF (20 mL) is added in to the reaction solution via syringe. The solution is then warmed to room temperature, and allowed to stir for 3 hours. The mixture is then quenched with saturated NH₄Cl (50 mL), and the aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The combined organic layers are washed with water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), and chromatographed (silica, 12.5% EtOAc/hexane) to yield 2-(diphenylmethyleneamino)-4-[(3-methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy]-butyronitrile, as a clear oil.

[0492] D. 2-amino-4-[3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy]-butyronitrile

[0493] 2-(Diphenylmethyleneamino)-4-[(3-methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy]-butyronitrile (3.7 g, 6.78 mmol) is stirred vigorously for 16 hours in a biphasic mixture of 1 N HCl (7.5 mL) and Et₂O (90 mL). The ether layer is removed, and the aqueous layer is washed with Et₂O (3×50 mL), basified to pH 8 with 1 N NaOH, and extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The combined organic layers are then washed with brine (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to yield 2-amino-4-[3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy]-butyronitrile, as a clear oil.

[0494] E. N-[3-(3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy)-1-cyanopropyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0495] To a solution of 2-amino-4-[3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy]-butyronitrile (0.5 g, 2.13 mmol), 3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine (see example 1, 0.80 g, 2.13 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (1.1 mL, 6.39 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) is added benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris (pyrrolidino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBop, 1.22 g, 2.34 mmol) in one portion. After stirring 1.5 hour, an additional portion of PyBop (0.61 g, 1.2 mmol) is added, and the solution is stirred overnight. The reaction mixture is washed with 1 N HCl (50 mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 50% EtOAc/hexane) to yield N-[3-(3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy)-1-cyanopropyl]-3-methyl-N(-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide as a white solid, m.p. 152-153° C.

[0496] The corresponding carboxyphenoxy compound is prepared as follows:

[0497] To a solution of N-[3-(3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenoxy)-1-cyanopropyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide (0.16 g, 0.272 mmol) in THF (3 mL) is added a solution of LiOH•H₂O (22 mg, 0.544 mmol) in water (1.5 mL). The reaction is stirred for 1 hour, after which time the THF is evaporated. The residue is acidified with 1 N HCl and extracted-with EtOAc (3×30 mL). The aqueous layer is washed with brine (30 mL), dried over MgSO₄, evaporated and chromatographed (5% MeOH, 0.05% AcOH, CH₂Cl₂) to yield N-[3-(3-carboxyphenoxy)-1-cyanopropyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide, as a white solid, m.p. 169-170° C.

Example 306 Synthesis of N-[2-[(5-(methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl)-methoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0498] A. 5-(bromomethyl)-2-furoate

[0499] To a solution of 5-methylfurfural (5.0 g, 45.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (100 mL) is added pulverized N-bromosuccinimide (17.8 g, 100 mmol), and the solution is subjected to sun lamp irradiation. After 15 minutes, the solution begins to reflux vigorously, and then settles down after another 2-3 minutes. After an additional 10 minutes, the dark mixture is cooled to room temperature, and MeOH (30 mL) is added. After 10 minutes, the solution is evaporated, and the residue is diluted with Et₂O, and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (50 mL), water (50 mL) and brine (50 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 15% EtOAc/hexane) to yield methyl 5-(bromomethyl)-2-furoate, as a yellowish oil.

[0500] B. O-[[(5-methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine

[0501] To a solution of N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine (2.5 g, 12.3 mmol) in DMF (50 mL) at −15° C. is added sodium hydride (1.22 g, 60% in mineral oil, 30.7 mmol) portionwise with vigorous stirring, over 0.5 hours. After all sodium hydride is added, the mixture is stirred for an additional 10 minutes at 0° C., and then at room temperature for 30 minutes. The solution is cooled back to 0° C., and a solution of methyl 5-(bromomethyl)-2-furoate (2.5 g, 12.3 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) is added dropwise over 2 minutes. The mixture is then warmed to room temperature for 16 hours, and the residue is quenched with 10% NaH₂PO₄ (100 mL) and acidified to pH 3 with 1 N HCl. 10% LiCi (30 mL) is added to the solution, and the resulting mixture is extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The combined extracts are washed with brine (50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated to give a yellowish syrup. This residue is taken up in Et₂O (50 mL), and extracted with saturated NaHCO₃(2×50 mL). The aqueous layer is acidified with conc. HCl, and extracted with Et₂O (2×50 mL), dried (MgSO₄), and evaporated. Chromatography (silica, 5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) yields O-[[(5-methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine as a yellowish oil.

[0502] C. O-[[(5-methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-Nα-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serinamide

[0503] A solution of O-[[(5-methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine (0.70 g, 2.1 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (0.46 mL, 4.2 mmol)) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) is cooled to −10° C., and isobutyl chloroformate (0.27 mL, 2.1 mmol)) is added dropwise over 10 minutes. After stirring for 15 minutes, ammonia gas is bubbled into the solution at a moderately vigorous rate for 15 minutes. The solution is then warmed to room temp. over 30 minutes. CH₂Cl₂ is evaporated, and the residue is dissolved in EtOAc (50 mL). This solution is then extracted with 1 N HCl (2×50 mL), saturated NaHCO₃ (50 mL), water (50 mL) and brine (50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated to yield O-[[(5-methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-Nα-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serinamide as a brownish solid.

[0504] D. O-[[(5-methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-L-serinamide•HCl

[0505] To a solution of O-[[(5-methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-Nα-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serinamide (0.52 g, 1.58 mmol)) in EtOAc (50 mL) at 0° C. is bubbled HCl gas at a moderately vigorous rate for 1 minute, during which time a lot of white precipitate is observed. The mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 10 minutes, after which time ethyl acetate is removed, yielding O-[[(5-methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-L-serinamide•HCl as a yellowish solid.

[0506] E. N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-O-[[5-(methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-L-serinamide

[0507] To a solution of 3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine (0.40 g, 1.5 mmol), O-[[(5-methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]methyl]-L-serinamide•HCl (0.54 g, 1.5 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzo triazole hydrate (0.2 g, 1.5 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (0.66 mL, 6.0 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL) is added 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide•HCl (0.43 g, 2.3 mmol) in one portion, and the mixture is stirred at room temp. for 16 hours. The solution is then washed with 1 N HCl (100 mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residual solid is triturated from ether to yield N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-O-[[5-(methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-L-serinamide as a light yellow solid.

[0508] F. N-[2-[(5-(methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl)-methoxyl-1 (S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0509] Oxalyl chloride (0.046 mL, 0.36 mmol) is added dropwise to DMF (5 mL), and the resulting solution is cooled to 0° C. After the solution is clear, pyridine (0.032 mL, 0.40 mmol) is added, followed by N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-O-[[5-(methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl]-methyl]-L-serinamide (0.20 g, 0.33 mmol), in one portion. The yellow reaction solution is stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 hours, after which time it is diluted with EtOAc (50 mL), and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), saturated LiCl (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 40% EtOAc/hexane) to yield N-[2-[(5-(methoxycarbonyl)-fur-2-yl)-methoxy]-l(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide as a white solid.

Example 307 Synthesis of N-[2-[(3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)thiomethoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0510] A. N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-S-trityl-L-cysteinamide

[0511] To a solution of 3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl-L-phenylalanine (see example 302, 1.0 g, 2.68 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.41 g, 2.68 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (0.74 mL, 6.69 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (80 mL) is added 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide•HCl (0.77 g, 4.02 mmol) in one portion. After stirring 30 minutes at room temperature, S-trityl-L-cysteinamide (0.97 g, 2.68 mmol) is added to the solution in one portion, and the solution is stirred for 16 hours. The solution is evaporated, and the residue partitioned between water (80 mL) and ethyl acetate (80 mL). The aqueous layer is washed with EtOAc (2×80 mL), and the combined organic layers are then washed with 1 N HCl (100 mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is triturated with Et₂O/hexane (1:1) to yield N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-S-trityl-L-cysteinamide as a white solid.

[0512] B. N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-L-cysteinamide

[0513] To a solution of N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-S-trityl-L-cysteinamide (0.68 g, 0.95 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) is added triethylsilane (0.30 mL, 1.9 mmol), in one portion, followed by dropwise addition of trifluoroacetic acid (10 mL). The yellow solution is stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, after which time solvent is evaporated, and the residue is suspended in water (30 mL), filtered, and the collected solid is washed with water and ether (100 mL each), and dried in vacuo, to yield of N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-L-cysteinamide, as a white solid.

[0514] C. N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-S-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-L-cysteinamide

[0515] A solution of N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-L-cysteinamide (0.72 g, 1.51 mmol), methyl 3-(bromomethyl)-benzoate (0.35 g, 1.51 mmol), and diisopropylethylamine (0.27 mL, 1.53 mmol) is stirred at room temperature overnight. Solvent is evaporated, and the residue is treated with 1 N HCl (50 mL), and filtered to collect a white solid, which is washed with water and Et₂O (100 mL each). Drying in vacuo yields N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-S-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]methyl]-L-cysteinamide, as a white solid.

[0516] D. N-[2-[(3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)thiomethoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0517] Oxalyl chloride (0.29 mL, 2.90 mmol) is added dropwise to DMF (20 mL), and the resulting solution is cooled to 0° C. After the solution becomes clear, pyridine (0.54 mL, 5.8 mmol) is added, followed by N-[3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanyl]-S-[[3-(methoxycarbonyl)-phenyl]-methyl]-L-cysteinamide (0.90 g, 1.5.1 mmol), in one portion. The yellow reaction solution is stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 hours, after which time it is diluted with EtOAc (50 mL), and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), saturated LiCl (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 33% EtOAc/hexane) to yield N-[2-[(3-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)thiomethoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide as a white solid.

Example 308 N-[2-[(3-carboxyphenyl)methanesulfinyl]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl-L-phenylalaninamide

[0518] To a solution of N-[2-[(3-carboxyphenyl)thiomethoxy]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide (89 mg, 0.15 mmol) in acetone (5 mL) is added a solution of potassium peroxymonosulfate (Oxone®, 0.11 g, 0.18 mmol) in water (5 mL) at 0° C., and the solution is stirred at 0° C. for 40 minutes. 5% NaHSO₄(10 mL) is added, and the cloudy suspension is filtered. The solid is washed with water (50 mL), dried in vacuo, and then recrystalized (CH₂Cl₂, Et₂O) to yield N-[2-[(3-carboxyphenyl)methanesulfinyl]-1(S)-cyanoethyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl-L-phenylalaninamide product, as a white solid, m.p. 170-171° C.

Example 309 N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1(S)-cyanobutyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0519] A. t-butyl (S)-5-hydroxy-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-pentanoate

[0520] To a solution of N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-glutamic acid t-butyl ester (6.0 g, 19.78 mmol) and triethylamine (2.83 mL, 20.27 mmol) in THF at −10° C. is added ethyl chloroformate (1.94 mL, 20.27 mmol) dropwise, via syringe, and the solution is stirred at −10° C. for 30 minutes. The solution is filtered to remove precipitate, and the filtrate is added into a solution of NaBH₄ (2.3 g, 60.86 mmol) in THF (40 mL) and water (50 mL). This solution is then stirred for 4 hours, after which time the solution is acidified with 1 N HCl to pH=5, and THF is evaporated. The aqueous residue is extracted with EtOAc (3×200 mL), and the organic layers is then washed with 1 N NaOH (2×300 mL), water (300 mL) and brine (300 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. Chromatography (silica, 20% EtOAc/hexane) yields t-butyl (S)-5-hydroxy-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-pentanoate as a thick oil.

[0521] B. t-butyl (S)-5-iodo-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-pentanoate

[0522] To a solution of t-butyl (S)-5-hydroxy-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-pentanoate (5.79 g, 20.0 mmol), triphenylphosphine (8.13 g, 31.0 mmol) and imidazole (2.04 g, 30.0 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (200 mL) at room temperature is added iodine (6.35 g, 25.0 mmol), portionwise, over 30 minutes. The mixture is then stirred 16 hours at room temperature. Methanol (20 mL) is added to the solution, which is then stirred an additional 1 hour. Solvent is evaporated, and the residue is purified by chromatography (silica, 33% EtOAc/hexane) to yield t-butyl (S)-5-iodo-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-pentanoate as a clear oil.

[0523] C. 3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine N-hydroxysuccinimide ester

[0524] A solution of 3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine (see example 1, 10.93 g, 2.5 mmol) in dioxane (50 mL) at 0° C. is added N-hydroxysuccinimide (0.29 g, 2.5 mmol) in one portion, followed by a solution of DCC (0.52 g, 2.5 mmol) in dioxane (10 mL), which is added dropwise over 10 minutes. The cloudy mixture is warmed to room temperature overnight, after which time it is cooled back to 0° C., and filtered. The filtrate is evaporated to yield 3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine N-hydroxysuccinimide ester as a white solid.

[0525] D. t-butyl (S)-5-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-pentanoate

[0526] To a solution of methyl 1H-pyrazole 3-carboxylate (Synth. Comm., 25, 1995, 761) (0.98 g, 7.74 mmol) in DMF (20 mL) at 0° C. is added NaH (60% suspension, 0.31 g, 7.74 mmol) portionwise, over 10 minutes. After stirring an additional 10 minutes, a solution of t-butyl (S)-5-iodo-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-pentanoate (2.78 g, 9.29 mmol) in DMF (20 mL) is added over 2 minutes, and the solution is warmed to room temperature over 16 hours. The solvent is evaporated (high-vac), the residue is treated with water (50 mL) and the aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×80 mL). The combined organic layers are washed with water (2×200 mL) and brine (100 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. Chromatography (silica, 25% EtOAc/hexane) yields the two regioisomeric products in a ˜2:1 ratio. The minor product, which is determined to be the desired product, t-butyl (S)-5-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-pentanoate, is isolated as a thick, clear oil.

[0527] E. (S)-5-(-3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-aminopentanoic acid•HCl

[0528] To a solution of t-butyl (S)-5-(-3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-pentanoate(0.84 g, 0.21 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) at 0° C. is bubbled HCl gas for 30 minutes. Afterward, the solution is warmed to room temperature over 30 minutes. Evaporation of solvent yields (S)-5-(-3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-aminopentanoic acid•HCl as a gray-white solid.

[0529] F. N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1(S)-carboxybutyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0530] To a solution of (S)-5-(-3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-aminopentanoic acid•HCl (0.67 g, 2.13 mmol) in 10 mL water is added a solution of NaHCO₃(0.72 g, 8.53 mmol) in water (10 mL). After bubbling subsides, a solution of 3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (0.67 g, 2.13 mmol) in 20 mL dioxane is added dropwise over 10 minutes, and the solution is stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Solvent is then evaporated, and the residue is diluted with water (50 mL) and adjusted to pH=4 with 1 N HCl. The aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (3×80 mL), and the combined extracts are washed with brine (2×100 mL), dried over MgSO₄, evaporated, and triturated from Et₂O to yield N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1 (S)-carboxybutyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide, which is carried on directly.

[0531] G. N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1(S)-(aminocarbonyl)-butyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0532] A solution of N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1 (S)-carboxybutyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide (0.3 g, 0.5 mmol)) and N-methylmorpholine (0.17 mL, 1.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) is cooled to −10° C., and isobutyl chloroformate (0.065 mL, 0.5 mmol) is added dropwise over 10 minutes. After stirring for 15 minutes, ammonia gas is bubbled into the solution at a moderately vigorous rate for 15 minutes. The solution is then warmed to room temperature over 30 min. CH₂Cl₂ is evaporated, the residue is treated with water (30 mL). The suspension is adjusted to pH=7 with 1 N HCl, and filtered. The solid is washed with water (50 mL) and dried in vacuo to yield N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1(S)-(aminocarbonyl)-butyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide.

[0533] H. N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1(S)-cyanobutyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0534] Oxalyl chloride (0.082 mL, 0.94 mmol) is added dropwise to DMF (20 mL), and the resulting solution is cooled to 0° C. After the solution becomes clear, pyridine (0.15 mL, 1.88 mmol) is added, followed by N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1(S)-(aminocarbonyl)butyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenyl-acetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide(0.28 g, 0.47 mmol), in one portion. The yellow reaction solution is stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 hours, after which time it is diluted with EtOAc (50 mL), and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), saturated LiCl (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 66% EtOAc/hexane) to yield N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1(S)-cyanobutyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide as a white solid.

Example 310 N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl)-1(S)-cyanobutyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0535] A. N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-(S)-propargylglycineamide

[0536] To a solution of N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-(S)-propargylglycine (2.44 g, 11.45 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) is added N-methylmorpholine (3.78 mL, 34.4 mmol) in one portion. The solution is then cooled to −10° C., and isobutyl chloroformate is added dropwise over 5 minutes. After stirring for 15 minutes, ammonia gas is bubbled into the reaction mixture at a moderately vigorous rate for 15 minutes. The resulting milky suspension is then warmed to room temperature over 2 hours, and the mixture is washed with 1 N HCl (2×25 mL), aqueous NaHCO₃ (25 mL) and brine (25 mL), and then dried over MgSO₄. Evaporation of solvent, followed by chromatography (silica, 65% EtOAc/hexane) yields N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-(S)-propargylglycineamide, as a clear oil.

[0537] B. (S)-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-(3-carbomethoxyphenyl)-4-pentynoic acid amide

[0538] A solution of N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-(S)-propargylglycineamide (1.15 g, 5.33 mmol), methyl 3-bromobenzoate (1.15 g, 5.33 mmol), and Cu(I)I (0.041 g, 0.214 mmol) in triethylamine (25 mL) is deoxygenated with bubbling N₂ for 2-3 minutes. Bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium dichloride (0.075 g, 0.11 mmol) is then added in one portion, and the mixture is refluxed for 3 hours, after which time solvent is evaporated. The residue is then taken up in EtOAc (10 ml), and then washed with 1 N HCl (40 mL) and brine (30 mL), and then dried over MgSO₄. The residue is chromatographed (silica, 80% EtOAc/hexane) to yield (S)-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-(3-carbomethoxyphenyl)-4-pentynoic acid amide, as a light yellow solid.

[0539] C. (S)-2-butoxycarbonylamino-4-(3-carbomethoxyphenyl)-pentanamide

[0540] To a solution of (S)-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-(3-carbomethoxyphenyl)-4-pentynoic acid amide (1.11 g, 3.22 mmol) in 1:1 ethanol/THF (50 mL) is added 10% Pd/C (0.5 g), and the mixture is hydrogenated at 1 atm. for 1.5 hours. The mixture is filtered through celite, and evaporated to yield (S)-2-butoxycarbonylamino-4-(3-carbomethoxyphenyl)-pentanamide, as a clear oil.

[0541] D. (S)-2-amino-4-(3-carbomethoxyphenyl)-pentanamide HCl

[0542] To a solution of (S)-2-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-(3-carbomethoxyphenyl)-pentanamide (1.22 g, 3.5 mmol) in EtOAc (75 mmol) at 0° C. is bubbled HCl gas at a moderately vigorous rate, for 5 minutes. The solution is then warmed to room temperature for 30 minutes Evaportion of solvent yields (S)-2-amino-4-(3-carbomethoxyphenyl)-pentanamide HCl salt as a light yellow solid.

[0543] E. N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl)-1(S)-(aminocarbonyl)-butyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0544] To a solution of (S)-2-amino-5-(3-carbomethoxyphenyl)-pentanamide HCl (0.30 g, 0.80 mmol), of 3-methyl-N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalanine (0.23 g, 0.80 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.135 g, 0.89 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (0.35 ml, 3.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (25 mL) is added 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide•HCl (0.23 g, 1.2 mmol) in one portion, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solution is then washed with 1 N HCl (100 mL), saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residual solid is triturated with ether to yield N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl)-1(S)-(aminocarbonyl)-butyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide as a light yellow solid.

[0545] F. N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl)-1(S)-cyanobutyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide

[0546] Oxalyl chloride (0.12 mL, 1.39 mmol) is added dropwise to DMF (10 mL), and the resulting solution is cooled to 0° C. After the solution is clear, pyridine (0.22 mL, 2.78 mmol) is added, followed by N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-1(S)-(aminocarbonyl)butyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide (0.42 g, 0.70 mmol), in one portion. The yellow reaction solution is stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 hours, after which time it is diluted with EtOAc (50 mL), and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution (1×50 mL), saturated aqueous LiCl solution (1×50 mL), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed to yield N-[4-(3-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl)-1(S)-cyanobutyl]-3-methyl-Nα-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-L-phenylalaninamide, as a yellow solid.

[0547] By repeating the procedure described above in Examples 302 to 310, using appropriate starting materials and conditions the following compounds of formula XVIII are obtained as identified below in Table 11. TABLE 11 XVIII

Example R₃₀ R₃₂ X₂ —Ar Z mp.(° C.) MS (M + 1) 311

COOH 100 dec. 312

″ ″ ″ ″ 142-145 313 CH₃CO ″ ″ ″ ″ 171-172 314

″ ″ ″ ″ 173-175 315

″ ″ ″ ″ 120 dec. 316

″ ″ ″ ″  90 dec. 317

″ ″ ″ ″ 578 318

″ ″ ″ ″ 139-141 319

″ ″ ″ ″ 153-155 320

″ ″ ″ ″ 129-131 321

″ ″ ″ ″ 170-172 322

″ ″ ″ ″ 522 323

″ ″ ″ ″ 536 324

″ ″ ″ ″ 529 325

″ ″ ″ ″ 601 326

″ ″ ″ ″ 572 327

″ ″ ″ ″ 600, 602 328

″ ″ ″ ″ 502 329

″ ″ ″ ″ 536 330

″ ″ ″ ″ 564 331

″ ″ ″ ″ 540 332

″ ″ ″ ″ 556 333

″ ″ ″ ″ 540 334

″ ″ ″ ″ 590 335

″ ″ ″ ″ 564 336

″ ″ ″ ″ 590 337

″ ″ ″ ″ 536 338

″ ″ ″ ″ 540 339 CH₃(CH₂)₂C(O)—

″ ″ ″ 468 340

″ ″ ″ ″ 496 341 CH₃(CH₂)₂C(O)—

″ ″ ″ 439 342

″ ″ ″ ″ 467 343

″ ″ ″ 523 344

″ ″ ″ 520 345

″ ″ ″ ″ 520 346

″ ″ ″ ″ 501 347

″ ″ ″ ″ 500 348 CH₃CH₂O—C(O)— ″ ″ ″ ″ 454 349

″ ″ ″ ″ 506 350

″ ″ ″ ″ 476 351

″ ″ ″ ″ 520 352

″ ″ ″ ″ 622 353

″ ″ ″ ″ 502 354

″ ″ ″ ″ 460 355 CH₃(CH₂)₂C(O)— ″ ″ ″ ″ 452 356

″ ″ ″ ″ 531 357

″ ″ ″ ″ 521 358

″ ″ ″ ″ 564, 566 359

″ ″ ″ ″ 522 360

″ ″ ″ ″ 516 361

″ ″ ″ ″ 586 362

″ ″ ″ ″ 558 363

″ ″ ″ ″ 516 364 CH₃OCH₂C(O)— ″ ″ ″ ″ 454 365

″ ″ ″ ″ 572 366

″ ″ ″ ″ 567 367 CH₃(CH₂)₂CO

″ ″ ″ 477 368

″ ″ ″ ″ 505 369

″ ″ ″ ″ 555 370 CH₃(CH₂)₂C(O)—

″ ″ ″ 442 371

″ ″ ″ ″ 470 372

″ ″ ″ ″ 520 373

″ ″ ″ 473 374

″ ″ ″ ″ 523 375 CH₃(CH₂)₂C(O)— ″ ″ ″ ″ 445 376

″ ″ ″ 477 377

″ ″ ″ ″ 520 378

″ ″ ″ ″ 528 379

″ ″ ″ 469 380

″ ″ ″ ″ 479 381

″ ″ ″ ″ 522 382

″ ″ ″ ″ 530 383

—CH₂)₂—O— ″ ″ 169-170 384 ″ ″ —CH₂—O—CH₂—

″ 115 dec. 385 ″ ″ —CH₂—S—CH₂—

″ 145-146 386 ″ ″ —(CH₂)₃—

″ 145-146 387 ″ ″ ″

″ 132 388

—CH₂—O—CH₂— ″ ″ 567 389

″ ″ ″ 516 390

″ ″ ″ ″ 577 391

″ ″ ″ ″ 571 392

″ ″ ″ ″ 537 393

″ ″ ″ 512 394

″ ″ ″ 525 395

″ ″ ″ ″ 545 396

″ ″ ″ ″ 579 397

″ ″ ″ 508 398

″ ″ ″ 544.9 399

″ ″ ″ 537 400

″ ″ ″ 490 401

″ ″ ″ 492 402 ″

″ ″ ″ 547.5 403

″ ″ ″ 543 (M − 1) 404

″ ″ ″ 582.8 405

″ ″ ″ ″ 567.2 406

″ ″ ″ ″ 553.1 407

″ ″ ″ ″ 573.9 408

″ ″ ″ ″ 609.6 409

″ ″ ″ 540 410

″ ″ ″ ″ 520.3 411

″ ″ ″ ″ 540.1 412

″ ″ ″ ″ 571 413

″ ″ ″ ″ 573.9 414

″ ″ ″ ″ 534 415

″ ″ ″ 161-162 416

″ ″ ″ ″ 145-146 590 (M⁺ − 1) 417

—CH₂—C(O)—NH— ″ ″ 553.4 418

″ ″

″ 126-128 419

″ ″

″ 159-162

[0548] Nd Isomer 1 11I I IL 90 dec. Isomer 2 i CH₃₀₉₁<cIIt 3 139-141 0 09 r 153-155 0 CH₃/ CH—C 0 170-172 0 I CH₃ s⁰-53 324 CH₃

[0549] N N<CO . 529 CH₃ 325

[0550] TFA salt 326 0

[0551] Sα- U 572 327 0J pBr7 U “U 600, 602 0 328 o 0.0 0 329 0

[0552] CH 0 F 1 0 II a5 0 CH₃ 0 S t 590 F F 0 CH₃ s U 536 0 OCH₃ 339 4H₃₈ i U 468 C H3(C H2)₂C(O)— u xCH₂ 340I CH₃(CH₂)₂C(O)— UUU439 ,,CH₂ 342 4 0 CHC ₁OH₂ ₀ CH₃ 0CH₂ 0 i 0 CH₃ II CH₃CH₂O—C(O)— u l 454 0 C 0 CF3 0 CH₃(CH₂)₂C(O)— U a N (II 0 NO, C u a . 521 Br C; 5 564, 566 0 0 o 0 1 C41C 9 c 558 0 CH₃OCH₂C(O)— l 454 NO₂ 0 477 CH₃(CH₂)₂C

[0553] CH₃ CH₃(CH₂)₂C(O)— 1442 0 OH 372SCH₂/U . 520 0 0S

[0554] U N 473 TFA salt OjCH₃ I I CH₃(CH₂)₂C(O)— U 445 SAC CH<CH₂ U j CC 477 0. 0 C2 0 0 Nc” 530 CH₃C₂₂0 169170 CH—C CH₂ -CH₂—O—CH₂-115 dec. -CH₂—S—CH₂-145-146 U S -(CH₂)₃— 145-146 ]±132H CH₂₁ ₈° i-CH₂—O—CH₂-567 N CH₃ C 3 1 U_0 Ci 0 C 3 C H CH3 CH₂O U 1 125 0I 0I CH₃ CH₃CH₃ U 508 CH3 c , 3. CH3 C * 544.9 0 CI 01 CH₂ CH3 9 Ci 9 CH₃ CH U49 c 0 ci 0 0H 412 7 413 CI 414 CH₃ 0 CH₃ F Ci CH₂ 1-CH₂—C(O)—NH-5534 F F 0

[0555] The compounds of Examples 302 to 419 are selective inhibitors of cathepsin B, having IC₅₀s for inhibition of cathepsin B, in the in vitro cathepsin B assay described above, which are typically in the range from about 5 nM to about 1000 nM. Illustrative of the invention, the IC₅₀ in the in vitro cathepsin B assay is about 5 nM for the compound of example 303.

[0556] In view of their properties as selective or broad based inhibitors of cathepsin L, S and/or B the Compounds of the Invention described above in Examples 154 to 419 may be used for treatment or prophylaxis of diseases or medical conditions mediated by cathepsin L, S or B; for instance as hereinbefore described.

Example 420 Preparation of 1,000 Capsules Each Containing 25 mg of a Compound of the Invention, Using the Following Ingredients

[0557] Compound of the Invention  25.00 g Lactose 192.00 g Modified starch  80.00 g Magnesium stearate  3.00 g

[0558] Procedure: All the powders are passed through a screen with openings of 0.6 mm. Then the drug substance is placed in a suitable mixer and mixed first with the magnesium stearate, then with the lactose and starch until homogeneous. No. 2 hard gelatin capsules are filled with 300 mg of said mixture each, using a capsule filling machine. 

1. A cathepsin inhibiting pharmaceutical composition comprising a dipeptide nitrile in which the C-terminal carboxy group of the dipeptide is replaced by a nitrile group (—C≡N) and in which the N-terminal nitrogen atom is substituted via a peptide or pseudopeptide linkage which optionally additionally comprises a -methylene-hetero atom-linker or an additional hetero atom, directly by aryl, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl or heterocyclyl or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or a salt thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 2. A cathepsin inhibiting pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 comprising a compound of formula I, or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or a salt thereof

wherein: R is optionally substituted (aryl, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or heterocyclyl); R₂ and R₃ are independently hydrogen, or optionally substituted [lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, or (aryl, biaryl, cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl)-lower alkyl]; or R₂ and R₃ together represent lower alkylene, optionally interrupted by O, S or NR₆, so as to form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are attached wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl; or either R₂ or R₃ are linked by lower alkylene to the adjacent nitrogen to form a ring; R₄ and R₅ are independently H, or optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkyl), —C(O)OR₇, or —C(O)NR₇R₈, wherein R₇ is optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl or heterocyclyl), and R₈ is H, or optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl or heterocyclyl), or R₄ and R₅ together represent lower alkylene, optionally interrupted by O, S or NR₆, so as to form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are attached wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl, or R₄ is H or optionally substituted lower alkyl and R₅ is a substituent of formula —X₂—(Y₁)_(n)-(Ar)_(p)-Q-Z wherein Y₁ is O, S, SO, SO₂, N(R₆)SO₂, N—R₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; n is zero or one; p is zero or one; X₂ is lower alkylene; or when n is zero, X₂ is also C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂, NR₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl; Ar is arylene; Z is hydroxy, acyloxy, carboxyl, esterified carboxyl, amidated carboxyl, aminosulfonyl, (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)aminosulfonyl, or (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)sulfonylaminocarbonyl; or Z is tetrazolyl, triazolyl or imidazolyl; Q is a direct bond, lower alkylene, Y₁-lower alkylene or C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by Y₁; X₁ is —C(O)—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, or —P(O)(OR₆)—, wherein R₆ is as defined above; Y is oxygen or sulphur; L is optionally substituted -Het-, -Het-CH₂— or —CH₂-Het-, wherein Het is a hetero atom selected from O, N or S, and x is zero or one; and aryl in the above definitions represents carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl; in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 3. A compound of formula I, or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or a salt thereof

wherein: R is optionally substituted (aryl, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or heterocyclyl); R₂ and R₃ are independently hydrogen, or optionally substituted [lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, or (aryl, biaryl, cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl)-lower alkyl]; or R₂ and R₃ together represent lower alkylene, optionally interrupted by O, S or NR₆, so as to form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are attached wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl; or either R₂ or R₃ are linked by lower alkylene to the adjacent nitrogen to form a ring; R₄ and R₅ are independently H, or optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkyl), —C(O)OR₇, or —C(O)NR₇R₈, wherein R₇ is optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl or heterocyclyl), and R₈ is H, or optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl or heterocyclyl), or R₄ and R₅ together represent lower alkylene, optionally interrupted by O, S or NR₆, so as to form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are attached wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl, or R₄ is H or optionally substituted lower alkyl and R₅ is a substituent of formula —X₂—(Y₁)_(n)-(Ar)_(p)-Q-Z wherein Y₁ is O, S, SO, SO₂, N(R₆)SO₂, N—R₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; n is zero or one; p is zero or one; X₂ is lower alkylene; or when n is zero, X₂ is also C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂, NR₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl; Ar is arylene; Z is hydroxy, acyloxy, carboxyl, esterified carboxyl, amidated carboxyl, aminosulfonyl, (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)aminosulfonyl, or (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)sulfonylaminocarbonyl; or Z is tetrazolyl, triazolyl or imidazolyl; Q is a direct bond, lower alkylene, Y₁-lower alkylene or C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by Y₁; X₁ is —C(O)—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, or —P(O)(OR₆)—, wherein R₆ is as defined above; Y is oxygen or sulphur; L is optionally substituted -Het-, -Het-CH₂— or —CH₂-Het-, wherein Het is a hetero atom selected from O, N or S, and x is zero or one; and aryl in the above definitions represents carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl; provided that when R is lower alkyl not substituted by aryl, one of R₄ or R₅ is a substituent of formula —X₂-(Y₁)_(n)-(Ar)_(p)-Q-Z; provided that when x is one, L is —O—, or —CH₂—O— and X₁ is —C(O)—, either one of R₄ or R₅ is a substituent of formula —X₂—(Y₁)_(n)-(Ar)_(p)-Q-Z, or R is not unsubstituted phenyl; provided that when R₂=R₄=R₅=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—, R₃ is not H, —CH₃, —CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—COOH, or —CH₂—COO—CH₂—CH₃, when R is unsubstituted phenyl, R₃ is not H, —CH(CH₃)₂, or —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, when R is 4-aminophenyl or 4-nitrophenyl, R₃ is not H when R is 3-aminophenyl, 3-nitrophenyl 2-chloropyridin-4-yl, or vinyl or R₃ is not —CH₂—CH₂—S—CH₃ when R is pyridin-3-yl or 2-chloropyridin-4-yl, provided that when R₂=R₃=R₄=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)— and R is phenyl, R₅ is not —CH(CH₃)₂, provided that when R₃=R₄=H, R₅ is —CH₂—CH₂—COOH, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—, R₂ does not form a heterocyclic ring with the adjacent nitrogen atom, and provided that when R₂=R₃=R₄=R₅=H, x is zero and X₁ is —SO₂—, R is not 4-methylphenyl.
 4. A compound according to claim 3, of formula II, or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or a salt thereof

wherein: R₂₀ is optionally substituted (aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclyl-lower alkyl); R₂₂ is H, or optionally substitued lower alkyl, and R₂₃ is optionally substituted (lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkyl, or cyloalkyl-lower alkyl) or R₂₂ and R₂₃ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted (cycloalkyl group or heterocycloalkyl group); R₂₄ and R₂₅ are independently H, or optionally substituted (lower alkyl, or aryl-lower alkyl), —C(O)OR₇, or —C(O)NR₇R₈, wherein R₇ and R₈ are as defined above, or R₂₄ and R₂₅ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted (cycloalkyl group or heterocycloalkyl group); X₁ is as defined in claim 2; Y is oxygen or sulphur; L′ is optionally substituted (-Het-CH₂— or —CH₂-Het-), wherein Het is a a hetero atom selected from O, N or S, and x is 1 or 0, provided that when x is one, L is —CH₂—O— and X₁ is —C(O)—, R₂₀ is not unsubstituted phenyl, provided that when R₂₂=R₂₄=R₂₅=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—, R₂₃ is not H, —CH₃, —CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—COOH, or —CH₂—COO—CH₂—CH₃, when R₂₀ is unsubstituted phenyl, R₂₃ is not H, —CH(CH₃)₂, or —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, when R₂₀ is 4-aminophenyl or 4-nitrophenyl, R₂₃ is not H when R₂₀ is 3-aminophenyl, 3-nitrophenyl 2-chloropyridin-4-yl, or vinyl, or R₂₃ is not —CH₂—CH₂—S—CH₃ when R₂₀ is pyridin-3-yl or 2-chloropyridin-4-yl, provided that when R₂₂=R₂₃=R₂₄=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)— and R₂₀ is phenyl, R₂₅ is not —CH(CH₃)₂, provided that when R₂₃=R₂₄=H, R₂₅ is —CH₂—CH₂—COOH, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—, R₂₂ does not form a heterocyclic ring with the adjacent nitrogen atom, and provided that when R₂₂=R₂₃=R₂₄=R₂₅=H, x is zero and X₁ is —SO₂—, R₂₀ is not 4-methylphenyl.
 5. A compound according to claim 3, of formula II′ or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or a salt thereof

wherein: R₂₀′ is optionally substituted (C₆-C₁₈ aryl or C₄-C₁₈ heteroaryl); R₂₂′ is H, or optionally substitued C₁-C₈ alkyl, and R₂₃′ is optionally substituted (C₂-C₈ alkyl, or C₇-C₁₄ aralkyl), or R₂₂′ and R₂₃′ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted (C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group or C₄-C₇ heterocycloalkyl group); R₂₄′ and R₂₅′ are independently H, or optionally substituted (C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₇-C₁₄ aralkyl, or C₅-C₁₄ heteroaralkyl), —C(O)OR₆′, or —C(O)NR₆′R₇′, wherein R₆′ is optionally substituted (C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₇-C₁₄ aralkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₄-C₇ heterocycloalkyl, C₅-C₁₄ heteroaralkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, or C₄-C₁₄ heteroaryl), and R₇′ is H, or optionally substituted (C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₇-C₁₄ aralkyl, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₄-C₇ heterocycloalkyl, C₅-C₁₄ heteroaralkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, or C₄-C₁₄ heteroaryl), or R₂₄′ and R₂₅′ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted (C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl group or C₄-C₇ heterocycloalkyl group); X₁ is —C(O)—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —P(O)(OR₆′)— wherein R₆′ is as defined above; Y is oxygen or sulphur; L′ is optionally substituted (-Het-CH₂— or —CH₂-Het-), wherein Het is a a hetero atom selected from O, N or S, and x is 1 or 0, provided that when x is one, L′ is —CH₂—O— and X₁ is —C(O)— R₂₀′ is not unsubstituted phenyl, provided that when R₂₂′=R₂₄′=R₂₅′=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—, R₂₃′ is not H, —CH₃, —CH(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, —CH₂—COOH, or —CH₂—COO—CH₂—CH₃, when R₂₀′ is unsubstituted phenyl, R₂₃′ is not H, —CH(CH₃)₂, or —CH₂—CH—(CH₃)₂, when R₂₀′ is 4-aminophenyl or 4-nitrophenyl, R₂₃′ is not H when R₂₀′ is 3-aminophenyl, 3-nitrophenyl, 2-chloropyridin-4-yl, or vinyl, or R₂₃′ is not —CH₂—CH₂—S—CH₃ when R₂₀′ is pyridin-3-yl or 2-chloropyridin-4-yl, provided that when R₂₂′=R₂₃′=R₂₄′=H, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)— and R₂₀′ is phenyl, R₂₅′ is not —CH(CH₃)₂, provided that when R₂₃′=R₂₄′=H, R₂₅′ is —CH₂—CH₂—COOH, x is zero and X₁ is —C(O)—, R₂₀′ does not form a heterocyclic ring with the adjacent nitrogen atom, and provided that when R₂₂′=R₂₃′=R₂₄′=R₂₅′ H, x is zero and X₁ is —SO₂—, R₂₀′ is not 4-methylphenyl.
 6. A cathepsin inhibiting pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula III

wherein R₃₀ is an acyl group derived from an organic carboxylic, carbonic, carbamic or sulfonic acid; R₃₂ and R₃₃ are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, or (aryl, biaryl, cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl)-lower alkyl; or R₃₂ and R₃₃ together represent lower alkylene so as to form a ring together with the carbon to which they are attached; R₃₄ is hydrogen or lower alkyl; Y₁ is O, S, SO, SO₂, N(R₆)SO₂, N—R₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; n is zero or one; p is zero or one; X₂ is lower alkylene; or when n is zero, X₂ is also C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂, NR₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; wherein R₆ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl; Ar is arylene; Z is hydroxy, acyloxy, carboxyl, esterified carboxyl, amidated carboxyl, aminosulfonyl, (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)aminosulfonyl, or (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)sulfonylaminocarbonyl; or Z is tetrazolyl, triazolyl or imidazolyl; Q is a direct bond, lower alkylene, Y₁-lower alkylene or C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by Y₁; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof; in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 7. A compound of formula III

wherein R₃₀ is an acyl group derived from an organic carboxylic, carbamic or sulfonic acid; R₃₂ and R₃₃ are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, bicycloalkyl, or (aryl, biaryl, cycloalkyl or bicycloalkyl)-lower alkyl; or R₃₂ and R₃₃ together represent lower alkylene so as to form a ring together with the carbon to which they are attached; R₃₄ is hydrogen or lower alkyl; Y₁ is O, S, SO, SO₂, N(R)SO₂, N—R₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; n is zero or one; p is zero or one; X₂ is lower alkylene; or when n is zero, X₂ is also C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂, NR₆, SO₂NR₆, CONR₆ or NR₆CO; wherein k is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl; Ar is arylene; Z is hydroxy, acyloxy, carboxyl, esterified carboxyl, amidated carboxyl, aminosulfonyl, (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)aminosulfonyl, or (lower alkyl or aryl-lower alkyl)sulfonylaminocarbonyl; or Z is tetrazolyl, triazolyl or imidazolyl; Q is a direct bond, lower alkylene, Y₁-lower alkylene or C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by Y₁; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 8. A compound according to claim 7, wherein (a) p is one; (b) Y₁ is O, S, SO, SO₂, N(R)SO₂ or N—R₆; and (c) X₂ is lower alkylene; or when n is zero, X₂ is also C₂-C₇-alkylene interrupted by O, S, SO, SO₂ or NR₆, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 9. A compound according to claim 3, of formula IV

wherein R₄₀ is substituted phenyl or heterocyclic aryl, (mono- or di-carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl)-lower alkyl or lower alkenyl, or heterocyclyl; R₄₂ is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R₄₃ is carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl-lower alkyl; R₄₄ and R₄₅ are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl; or R₄₄ and R₄₅ combined represent lower alkylene; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or esters thereof.
 10. A compound according to claim 4 of the formula V,

wherein the symbols are as defined in said claim, or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or salt thereof.
 11. A compound according to claim 7 of the formula V′

wherein the symbols are as defined in said claim, or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or salt thereof.
 12. A compound according to claim 9 of the formula V″

wherein the symbols are as defined in said claim, or a physiologically-acceptable and -cleavable ester or salt thereof.
 13. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I as defined in claim 3, comprising (a) converting an amide of the formula VI

 wherein R, R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ have meaning as previously defined in claim 2 for the compounds of formula I to a nitrile of formula I; or (b) condensing a compound of the formula VII

 wherein R₄ and R₅ have meaning as defined in claim 1, with an acid of formula VIII

 wherein R, R₂ and R₃ have meaning as defined in claim 1; or with a reactive derivative thereof; or (c) condensing a compound of the formula Ia

 wherein R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ have meaning as defined in claim 1 with an acid corresponding to the group R-[L]_(x)-X₁— or with a reactive derivative thereof; and in the above processes, if required, temporarily protecting any interfering reactive groups and then isolating the resulting compound of the invention; and, if desired, converting any resulting compound into another compound of the invention; and/or if desired, converting a resulting compound into a salt or a resulting salt into the free acid or base or into another salt.
 14. A method of inhibiting cathepsin activity in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition as defined in claim
 1. 15. A method of inhibiting cathepsin activity in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition as defined in claim
 2. 16. A method of inhibiting cathepsin activity in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula I as defined in claim
 3. 17. A method of treating cathepsin dependent conditions in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition as defined in claim
 2. 18. A method according to claim 17 of treating inflammation, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
 19. A method of treating cathepsin dependent conditions in a mammal which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound as defined in claim
 3. 20. A cathepsin inhibiting pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I as defined in claim 3, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 